In the early 20th Century, Russian Czar Nicholas II (Ian McKellen) and his wife, Czarina Alexandra (Greta Scacchi), bring crazed monk Rasputin (Alan Rickman) into their royal court, believing he can heal their gravely ill son. But despite claiming a special connection with God, Rasputin also exhibits volatile and nefarious behavior, which threatens to corrupt the royal family from within. Meanwhile, the political situation outside the palace walls becomes increasingly tumultuous.