Two magnificent swans are set ablaze by a madman in the forest depths. Their cries and beating, burning wings draw an inquisitive hiker near, and the rest is for Inspector Kurt Wallander (Kenneth Branagh) to discover in a grisly scene. But as the hiker goes missing, a young woman mysteriously appears at Wallander’s door: Anna Westin, the troubled childhood friend of his daughter, Linda.

Agitated, Anna flees just as mysteriously as she’d arrived, revealing nothing. Then, she too disappears. With Linda at his side in an uneasy partnership, Wallander searches for Anna and the hiker. But when the two disappearances prove connected by a religious fanatic with a record for arson, Wallander uncovers a religious cult intent on delivering their horrific message in fire.