West of Thebes, Lake Copais, in Boeotia, Greece. As sweet wine and vile passions numb his deep-seated emotional pain, Dimitros Kanalis, a despotic landowner and failed paterfamilias, returns home after yet another night of debauchery. In anticipation of the wheat harvest and the arrival of Anna, his sophisticated daughter from his second marriage, Dimitros goes about his demanding daily activities in the fields, unbeknownst to him that unappeasable carnal desires paired with pent-up sexual frustration have clouded the mind of his social outcast son, Anestis. And, suddenly, timid Chrysa, Dimitros' foster daughter and religious deaf-mute, goes missing. Now, as shocking secrets come to light and liberating truth remains hidden behind closed doors, a monster is on the loose. But, fear is a ferocious, untameable beast gnawing at sinners day and night. Where is Chrysa? Does anyone know what has happened to the poor girl?