Dr. Markway (Richard Johnson) is investigating the paranormal activities in the believed to be haunted Hill House. Hill House has a long dark history of murder and suicide and it is believed that it's former inhabitants still haunt the old mansion. Dr. Markway had brought with him three people to help him investigate and possibly debunk the theory of ghosts. His team consists of Theodora (Claire Bloom) the alluring clairvoyant, the insecure psychic Eleanore (Julie Harris), and Luke (Russ Tamblyn) the young man who will inherit the house. The presence of the house grows stronger the longer they inhabit it. They hear strange knocking that escalates to a deafening pounding, doors that swell as if they were breathing, and strange writing appears on the wall. It is the guilt ridden and unstable Eleanore who is most vulnerable. She gradually falls under the house's spell with deadly consequences.