Brilliant Dr. James Xavier (Ray Milland) develops a serum that enables X-ray vision and tests it on himself in director Roger Corman's intriguing sci-fi tale. Xavier at first delights in his newfound ability to see through objects. But when he accidentally causes the death of a colleague (Harold Stone), Xavier ends up on the lam, and as his optical powers grow to the point of seeing beyond the physical world, he loses all connection to humankind.