In 1940s Australia, a 9-year-old aboriginal orphan arrives in the dead of night at a remote monastery run by a renegade nun, and his presence disturbs its delicately balanced world.

Ned Kendall is asked to return to the remote and isolated family home by his sister, to say goodbye to his father who is dying. Ned also brings his young aspiring actress fiancee who struggles with the isolation. When home he starts having memories of his childhood many involving his beautiful twin sister and his older brother. These memories awaken long-buried secrets from the family’s past.