Passeri (Michele Placido), an educated and idealistic young recruit, arrives at a military barracks to undergo his compulsory service. He quickly becomes the target of Captain Asciutti (Franco Nero), a sadistic, hyper-authoritarian officer who rule the barracks with iron discipline. However, Asciutti takes a strange liking to Passeri and invites him into his personal life, asking him to spy on his young wife, Rosanna (Miou-Miou). Passeri soon realizes that Rosanna is trapped in a deeply abusive marriage and begins an affair with her, setting off a dangerous psychological battle between recruit, officer, and wife.