Victor leaves his foster mother's home to begin his working life. His journey takes him to a remote island, where he visits his only relative, an uncle whom he has not met before. The old man, who has never known love, resides in a barricaded mansion, surrounded by an atmosphere of death and decay. Victor finds himself a virtual prisoner on this mysterious island - and is forced to confront his own past, if he is ever to regain control of his life.