Martin, portrayed by Elijah Wood, is an American student at the prestigious University of Oxford who aspires to have the enigmatic Arthur Seldom, played by John Hurt, as his thesis supervisor. Upon settling into accommodations arranged by Mrs. Eagleton, a longtime friend of Seldom, Martin learns that the elderly landlady's daughter, Beth, a bitter caregiver and musician herself, is resentful of her circumstances.
During a public lecture, Seldom provocatively quotes Wittgenstein's Tractatus, asserting that absolute truth is unattainable. Eager to impress his idol, Martin counters, stating, > "I believe in the number pi," only to be met with ridicule and humiliation from Seldom, leaving him feeling disillusioned and questioning his path.
As Martin contemplates abandoning his studies, he runs into Podorov, portrayed by Burn Gorman, a bitter mathematician who shares in his frustration of not being accepted as a student under Seldom's guidance. However, fate takes a dark turn when Martin returns home to find Seldom visiting Mrs. Eagleton, only to discover that she has been tragically murdered. Seldom shares that he received a chilling note suggesting that this is the first of many murders designed to challenge his intellectual prowess.
Seldom theorizes about a possible serial killer, claiming, > "The only perfect crime that exists is not the one that remains unsolved, but the one which is solved with the wrong culprit." As the investigation unfolds, Martin and Seldom delve into the complexities of the case, discussing the ease with which Mrs. Eagleton's murder might have been overlooked, especially considering her terminal illness.
In this tense situation, Beth confesses to Martin her underlying desire to break free from the burden of caring for her dying mother. Together with Lorna, a Spanish nurse played by Leonor Watling who has caught Martin's affection, they find themselves embroiled in a web of mathematical clues, desperate to unravel the mystery while navigating rising tensions and police scrutiny.
Each character becomes a potential suspect, and dark secrets emerge, including an ominous history between Seldom and others. As they continue to connect the dots, the stakes escalate when a second murder occurs, entwining the lives of Martin, Beth, and Lorna in a deadly game of intellect where everyone has something to lose.
Amidst an atmosphere charged with suspicion, revelations about Seldom’s past start to surface, leading to shocking conclusions that suggest a deeper connection between the murders and the characters’ intertwined lives. As the narrative reaches its climax, Martin uncovers an unsettling truth: the real puppeteer behind this twisted scenario isn't merely a serial killer, but rather Beth herself, seeking liberation under Seldom's misguided influence.
With Martin’s insightful deductions and an eventual confrontation, the tale winds down to reveal how obsession, ambition, and the pursuit of absolute truth can lead to devastating consequences for all involved.
