Haunted by a case that went awry due to his fear of heights, retired detective John Scottie Ferguson (Jimmy Stewart) is hired by an old acquaintance to follow his beautiful wife, Madeline, who he suspects is suffering from insanity. Ferguson accepts the job, and soon must rescue Madeline as she attempts to jump into the San Francisco Bay. As Ferguson spends more time with Madeline (Kim Novak), he develops a deep obsession with her that takes a dark turn. The cinematography, influenced by Ferguson’s vertigo, is transfixing in classic Hitchcock fashion.