A young English girl in Monte Carlo falls in love with a rude, handsome stranger who proposes to her and rescues her from the drudgery of being a hired companion. However, when he takes her to his country estate, Manderly, all her confidence disappears, especially against Maxim's dour and mysterious housekeeper, Mrs. Danvers. As strange rumors reach her, the second Mrs. de Winter decides to find out everything she can about her predecessor, Rebecca.