JennyNix,wifeofeminentchildpsychologistCarterNix,becomesincreasinglyconcernedaboutherhusband'sseeminglyobsessiveconcernovertheupbringingoftheirdaughter.Herownadulterousaffairwithanoldflame,however,causeshertoneglecthermotherlydutiesuntilaspateoflocalkidnapingsforceshertoacceptthepossibilitythathemaybetryingtorecreatethetwistedmind-controlexperimentsofhisdiscreditiedpsychologistfather.