Killing The Shadows is a bawdy comic fable set in the Ottoman Empire during the mid-14th century based on two legendary figures in Turkish folkore, the jester Hacivat (Beyazit Ozturk) and the nomad Karagoz (Haluk Bilginer), men who apparently lived and died by their sense of humour.

There are two days left until Asya's wedding, but at her father's request, she has to attend a funeral in Çanakkale. Her return to Istanbul is about to become the most important journey of her life. Because Asya meets the most innocent and clumsy person she could ever know, and the adventure-filled journey they will take together from Çanakkale to Istanbul will cause significant changes in both of their lives.

Mehmet, who lives in one of Istanbul's middle-class neighborhoods, is the only child of his family. Despite being intelligent, he has never been successful in life due to his mischievousness. Realizing that he will not succeed in the university entrance exam, he begins to think of lies to tell his family, fearing their reaction. Shortly before the exam results are announced, his life changes when he receives a letter from Spellcraft School of Magic and Wizardry. Fearing his parents' reaction to the idea of a wizardry school, he lies to them, telling them he has been accepted into a school abroad, and embarks on a magical adventure.

Çetin is greedy. Years later upon his father's death he returns home. He begins a new friendship with his mentally disabled brother Arif.