Ted Crawford, a wealthy and ingenious engineer, discovers his wife's affair. In a calculated act of revenge, he shoots her and waits calmly at the scene for the police, ensuring his confession is inadmissible and leaving no direct evidence linking him to the crime. Crawford then elects to represent himself in court, setting the stage for a cunning battle of wits.

Enter Willy Beachum, a young, ambitious assistant district attorney on the brink of transitioning to a high-powered position at a private law firm. Beachum, confident in his ability to secure a conviction despite the seemingly straightforward case turning complex, finds himself ensnared in Crawford's meticulous and intricate game. As the case progresses, Beachum's career and personal morals are put to the test, challenging his legal skills and ethical boundaries.