In the 18th century in a forgotten town, young Benedicta is the executioner's daughter. Monk Ambrosius, newly arrived at the village, pities the girl but his interest in her unleashes the jealousy of Rochus and the conflict between passion and celibacy begins.

In a dark room, fantastic beings appear like specters from an old cinema. Frightened, the insomniac is the only one to witness the cyclical nocturnal spectacle.