In 1954, Dr. John Wainright, a former academic-turned-illusionist, publishes a book about reincarnation in which he espouses to be the mesmerist Svengali, reincarnated. John's publisher, Sir Stephen, reveals to him privately that he himself is the reincarnation of the leader of the Society of the Bleeding Rose, a Satanic cult. Stephen convinces John that he is there to replenish the cult's psychic energy via human sacrifice: The intended goal of the ritual is to transfer Stephen's soul into the body of the sacrificed individual during a double suicide; their deaths must occur at the moment of orgasm for the transference to work. John initially picks up Mary, a prostitute, and kidnaps her to indoctrinate her into the cult, making her a slave to Satan. He subsequently attempts to court Trilby, a naive and virginal exotic dancer whom he encountered at a nightclub where he performs his illusionist act. Meanwhile, Trilby's drug-addicted prostitute roommate, Barbara, and her pimp, Roland, have simultaneously planned to seduce Trilby, as they are both enchanted by her beauty. Trilby begins to grow suspicions of John's intentions with her. Later, Barbara and Roland convince Trilby to engage in a threesome. John arrives and interrupts the sexual encounter, and Roland insults him. John stares into his eyes, apparently putting him under a spell. Shortly after, Roland is hit and killed by a moving car while crossing a street.