Wilton, a hunchback, who was always scorned and ridiculed by women, returns from Java a rich man after having discovered a diamond mine. He romances Gina, who is on the rebound from a broken affair, and showers her with expensive gifts. After Gina reconciles with her boyfriend, she continues to see Wilton because of what he gives her. After he discovers her perfidy, Wilton develops a poison and mixes it into her lipstick, which will kill any man who kisses her.
Num pequeno vilarejo da fronteira holandesa, o misterioso hipnotizador Dr. Caligari (Krauss) chega acompanhado do sonâmbulo Cesare (Veidit), que estaria supostamente adormecido por 23 anos. À noite, Cesare perambula pela cidade concretizando as previsões funestas do seu mestre, o Dr. Caligari.
