In 1950s England, sailor Harold Guppy arrives in a small seaside town looking for his estranged brother. After a brief reunion, Harold finds a room for rent in the house of Mrs. Beasley, her meek husband and their teenage daughter, Joyce. It's clear that Harold has a troubled past, but his future is about to get more perilous yet. Despite the rosy surface, Harold soon finds himself in a tawdry sexual tug-of-war that won't end well.

A successful magician is approached to do a TV special, which he has not done before. He and the beautiful producer of the show fall in love with each other, much to the disappointment of her possessive guardian (who is the person she works for). He sets out to wreck their happiness.

A man faces police questioning after helping a drunk girl the night before.