Sidney Lumet directs this twisting adaptation of Ira Levin's play about older, washed-up playwright Sidney (Michael Caine), who arranges to meet with younger writer Clifford (Christopher Reeve) at Sidney's remote cabin to discuss Clifford's first attempt at authoring a play. Sidney clearly covets the play, which casts doubt as to whether Clifford will leave the cabin alive. Dyan Cannon plays Sidney's ailing wife.