A bold and intriguing screen adaptation of Mikhail Lermontov's famous play about passion, vices, and the inevitable reckoning for sins. The film tells the story of Arbenin – a ruthless and cynical high-class swindler who has destroyed many lives in his path. His only weakness is Nina, an angel who gives him hope for redemption. Marrying Nina, Arbenin steps away from his ways.
However, his former card-playing partner, Kazarin, finds himself on the brink of bankruptcy, and he desperately needs to bring his lucky associate back into the game. This means destroying Arbenin's happiness. Now, Nina becomes entangled with the young Prince Zvezdich, and blinded by jealousy and unable to forgive, Arbenin is ready to seek revenge against the world.