In early 20th century California, a young woman, Alicianne, takes a job as a nanny to a young girl, Rosalie Nordon, whose mother has recently died. On her way to the rural, secluded Nordon home, Alicianne meets a neighbor who warns her of the family's reputation. She soon meets the crabby, morbid Mr. Nordon, his awkward son Len, and the aloof Rosalie, who can seemingly animate objects when she is angry.