Newly-wed students, Fred and Rose (Australia’s Odessa Young), move to a small Vermont college town with the hope of starting a new life. They receive an offer of free room and board from a professor (Michael Stuhlbarg), if Rose agrees to spend time cleaning and looking after his wife – renowned horror author Shirley Jackson (Elizabeth Moss).
Shirley detests their presence, which heightens tensions in the tempestuous relationship with her philandering husband. Fred and Rose’s love is tested when they find themselves fodder in the eccentric couple’s psycho-drama, which inspires Jackson’s next major masterpiece.