Humbert Humbert, a middle-aged literature professor, moves to a small town in New England for a teaching position. Seeking a place to stay, he rents a room in the house of Charlotte Haze, a lonely and flirtatious widow. Initially indifferent to Charlotte's overtures, Humbert becomes infatuated with her teenage daughter, Dolores, whom he nicknames Lolita. Desperate to stay close to Lolita, Humbert marries Charlotte despite his lack of genuine feelings for her. Unbeknownst to Charlotte, Humbert's obsession with her daughter grows, and he keeps a journal where he records his forbidden desires.

When Charlotte discovers Humbert's true intentions through his journal, she is devastated and her subsequent actions set off a chain of tragic events. After an abrupt change in their living situation, Humbert becomes the guardian of Lolita, leading them on a complex and troubling road trip across the United States. Their journey paints a disturbing picture of control, deception, and manipulation, revealing the dark and toxic nature of Humbert's obsession. As the true depth of Humbert's moral decay becomes apparent, the consequences of his actions ripple through their lives, leaving lasting impacts on everyone involved.