At Farhaven, a British seaside town, a 14-year-old boy named Honda bumps into Helen, a hairdresser.

Ever since accidentally witnessing the dead body of his mother, who committed suicide in her bathtub, Honda does not speak a word to anyone.

Both Honda and Martin are shocked to discover that Helen has a boyfriend, a radio DJ named Bob.

Stalking the couple with a long-range microphone, Honda discovers that, despite having dated Bob for months, Helen refuses to have sex with him.

Thanks to Honda and her older sister, Bob is tricked into playing a tape of his violent behavior towards Helen on his own radio show.

Fearing he will return to jail, Martin decides to leave town, but first, he wants to visit Helen one last time.

Hearing the struggle through his microphone, Honda saves Helen by smashing a bottle on Martin's head.

[1] In AllMovie, Keith Phipps gave a positive review in which he wrote, "In a reversal of the typical noir arc, this is a film in which characters become more sympathetic and less sinister as the story progresses.

Invested with a tremendous sadness to match its run-down, after-the-party location, it's a unique entry in the noir revival -- one that can stand proudly alongside Red Rock West and The Underneath -- and another overlooked addition to the Winterbottom filmography.

"[2] TV Guide wrote, "This fairly straightforward thriller is tricked up with the Conversation-like gimmick of Honda's aural peeping, but it's Slawomir Idziak's handsome cinematography, which makes much of the story look as though it was shot through neon- and rain-streaked glass, and the captivating score…that make it genuinely haunting.

"[3] Writing also for AllMovie, Bhob Stewart also complimented Idziak, saying his cinematography "captures the dark, visual tone of obsessive love".