Edinburgh, 1827. Two Irish immigrants hit upon the idea of selling the bodies of the recently deceased to eminent surgeon Dr. Robert Knox. Dr. Knox, knowing that experimental vivisection is the only way for medicine to make progress, forms an uneasy alliance with the self-styled body snatchers. But when their supply of corpses runs out, they decide to murder for their inventory. Knox, who has turned a blind eye, is forced to defend himself with all of his skill and intelligence as everyone closes in, condemning his controversial actions.