An eccentric author Mort Rainey (played by Johnny Depp) finds that his life is out of control. His drinking problem and cigarette addiction are habits he can't shake. Barely functioning when his wife (played by Maria Bello) leaves him and he abandons his work. In the midst of his anguish, a deranged man, John Shooter, (played by John Turturro) appears at Mort's New York cabin, claiming that Mort has plagiarised one of his stories. As Mort's wife attempts to finalize their divorce and Shooter continues to systematically destroy his life, Mort struggles to restore order in an increasingly insane situation. With an emphasis on character study over special effects, this psychological thriller is reminiscent of an Alfred Hitchcock film. Based on a Stephen King novella.