Adapted from the play by Nicolas Billon, the film delves into the mind of troubled psychiatric patient Michael (Xavier Dolan), detailing the complex back-and-forth between him and the unprepared doctor who attempts to untangle his web of lies.
When psychiatrist Lawrence (Colm Feore) goes mysteriously missing from a hospital that has recently been plagued by scandal, Dr. Toby Green (Bruce Greenwood) is called in to investigate before the news goes public. Convinced that Michael is hiding knowledge about his colleague - and in no rush to go home to his complicated personal life - Green is determined to control both the situation and the patient, adamantly ignoring the advice from the person who knows Michael best, Nurse Susan Peterson (Catherine Keener). As Michael demonstrates his superior intelligence and manipulative nature, it becomes increasingly unclear who ultimately dominates, patient or doctor.