Edward G. Robinson stars in Fritz Lang's film noir classic about an ordinary man who strays off his normal path into a world of seduction and deceipt. Chris Cross (Robinson) is a mild-mannered accountant, middle-aged, middle-class, and married to a shrewish woman. Walking home from a work dinner held in his honour, Chris rescues a young woman who is being attacked by her lowlife boyfriend. The couple in question, Kitty Marsh (Joan Bennet) and Johnny Prince (Dan Duryea), then see an opportunity to rip off the gallant but boring Chris, using the poor fool's desire for Kitty to draw him into their trap. Chris falls for the bait, and soon finds himself riding a fast track to destruction.