Mark Rutland (Sean Connery) is a customer of one Sidney Strutt (Martin Gabel), whose business was robbed by his secretary, the icy, mysterious Marnie Edgar (Tippi Hedren). When Marnie applies for a job with Mark, with the intention of stealing from him, Mark—who is obsessively in love with her—blackmails her into marrying him. However, he soon discovers that she has severe psychological issues regarding men, thunderstorms, and the color red, and resolves to help her come to terms with her past trauma.