Buenos Aires, 1955. One of a family of Sicilian immigrants, the adolescent Laura is on the threshold of adulthood. Her father Francesco Lojacono, is a humble tailor whose relationship with his daughter is one of extreme conflict. As Laura becomes increasingly emancipated in Argentinian (and therefore American) fashion, her father feels personally betrayed.

An elderly woman, confined to a nursing home, is about to celebrate her birthday. While the cold-blooded staff celebrates her birthday in advance, the radio announces the escape of the extremely dangerous killer known as "El Matarife" from a mental hospital. El Matarife—whose connection to the woman is closer than it seems—will unleash a massacre in the nursing home to deliver a very special gift to her.