The film tells the story of a couple, Heino (Willem Dafoe) and Charlotte (Charlotte Gainsbourg), who are trying to overcome the tragic loss of their two-year-old son. Heino, a psychologist, writes a book about the causes of violence, while Charlotte stays at home, isolated and depressed. As their grief and guilt intensify, their relationship deteriorates, leading to a downward spiral of despair, madness, and violence.
