A wealthy family experiences seduction from a mysterious vistor with prolific sexual powers (Terence Stamp). He sets out on his amorous physical conquests by first sleeping with the maid. The mother soon has sex with the visitor, and their young daughter willingly loses her virginity to the stranger. When the father, a stuffy industrialist, discovers what has been going on in his house while he is away, he confronts the visitor. Soon the father and the visitor are embroiled in a homosexual affair. All are profoundly affected by their experiences. The mother takes on a series of lovers in the form ofmale pickups off the street in a vain attempt to feel the passion brought by the visitor. The son takes off to become an artist but lacks talent and inspiration. The daughter has a nervous breakdown, and the father leaves his factory to be run by his workers. When the visitor leaves, the father continues his homosexual activities that have become the driving force in his life.