这是一部基于真实故事改编的电影。连环杀手彼得因多项谋杀罪被捕,等待他的将是严酷审判。英俊,精明的年轻律师维尔纳欲证明其天性疯狂,四处搜寻举证,却被引入歧途,几近走火入魔。 影片深刻探讨了“杀人恶魔”是天生的性情使然还是后天压抑所至,人类心灵的变态和社会环境的扭曲有何关联等问题。Dreaded serial killer Peter Kurten voluntarily turns himself over to the authorities. A young lawyer, eager to prove Kurten's mental derangement, agrees to defend a man who terrorized Germany between 1929 and 1931. In studying the case and meeting with the intelligent, cold-blooded manipulator, the young idealist's values become warped.