Downstairs

The film opens with Baron Von Burgen's head butler Albert marrying the young housemaid Anna at the Baron's Austrian estate. Karl Schneider, a newly hired chauffeur, arrives and soon finds Countess De Marnac, an old flame who disapproves of his social circle. This ceremony sets up the cross-class tension that drives the drama.

That night, François, one of the butlers, gets too drunk to work, and Albert covers his shift. Anna, now unaccompanied, is visited by Karl, who wins her sympathy by recounting his difficult childhood. The encounter marks the start of Karl's manipulative pursuit of Anna.

Karl drives Baroness Eloise to Vienna for shopping and drops her at a town apartment she keeps for visits from her boyfriend. When they return, Eloise claims they were in an accident, but Albert does not believe her. He questions Karl, who is evasive, and reminds him to stay loyal to their employers.

Although Albert warned him to stay in his lane, Karl presses his advantage and tries to kiss Anna. She slaps him and makes it clear she resents his manipulation. Karl retreats to his room, where Sophie is waiting; they flirt and spend the night together.

The next day Karl insults Sophie and lies about being the illegitimate son of royalty to extort money from her. He then uses a jewel found in Eloise's possession the day before to ingratiate himself with Anna and to pretend it belongs to him. Eloise immediately recognizes the jewel as hers and accuses Anna of stealing.

Eloise discusses the matter with the Baron, and Albert overhears her saying Karl and Anna are involved in an affair. Eloise arranges for Karl and Anna to have some privacy on a fishing trip, but the Baron insists that Albert accompany them. Albert confronts Karl, warning him to stay away from Anna.

Karl and Anna seize the privacy on the fishing trip, then go to a pub where they grow closer. Anna discovers Karl has arranged a private room for them and leaves in disgust. Karl follows, declares his love, and they end up spending the night together.

Returning from the trip, Albert fires Karl for deception and for trying to undermine Anna. Anna, distraught, blames Albert for pushing her toward another man. Karl retaliates by blackmailing Eloise into reinstating him as chauffeur.

Eloise admits she is being blackmailed and cannot go to the police. Albert, moved by her predicament, vows to stay and help bring Karl down. They outline a plan to outmaneuver Karl while protecting Eloise's affair.

That night Sophie offers Karl all her savings to realize her dream of running away and opening their own shop. Karl accepts, planning to leave with the money for Paris. This move deepens his already dangerous opportunism.

The next morning Karl packs his bags with Sophie's savings and begs Anna to join him. Anna refuses, insisting she still loves Albert. They attempt to escape with the money but knock over a rack of wine bottles, drawing the Baron's attention and suspicion.

The Baron, alerted by the commotion, orders apologies as he weighs the relationships in his household. As soon as the Baron leaves, Albert pretends to reconcile with Karl, offers him wine, then quietly tells Karl to get out of their lives. The Baron praises Albert's courage, and Karl leaves to resume his scheming elsewhere.