Lionel Barrymore and Bela Lugosi star in this horror directed by Tod Browning. Irena Borotyn (Elizabeth Allan) is due to marry Fedor Vincente (Henry Wadsworth) when her father is murdered. It appears as if he was killed by a vampire and so occult expert Professor Zelen (Barrymore) arrives to investigate and to protect her, amidst fears that she could be the monster's next target.

The main suspect is Count Mora (Lugosi) but as Zelen works to solve the mystery, he uncovers strange and shocking secrets. The cast also includes Lionel Atwill and Jean Hersholt.