It tells the story of Thomas, a mousey and dull bank clerk whose physical appearance leads him to be confused with a fierce and notorious criminal.

[2] The plot was based on a script by Iakovos Kambanellis, one of Greece's most prominent playwrights, and the music score was written by Manos Hadjidakis with the collaboration of Vasilis Tsitsanis.

[4][5] A weak and timid bank employee, Thomas, prepares to spend the New Year's Eve alone when he is horrified to realize that he resembles a famous wanted criminal whom the newspapers call "The Dragon".

Amid the ambiguous charm of the night, an underworld gang, treat him as the real Dragon and a dancer, the so-called Carmen, takes a liking on him and protects him.

There Thomas meets Roula, the "baby" as they call her, a young girl, orphaned after the bombing of Piraeus, who was picked up by Carmen and taken to the cabaret.

The boss, the "Fat Man" as they call him, who is in love with the "baby", scolds her out of jealousy and won't let her leave his control.

The movie is mentioned (and plays an important role) in Jonathan Franzen's novel Freedom, with the title The Fiend of Athens.