The mystery, romance, and adventure stars Patrick Stewart and Neve Campbell; it is based on an 1887 Oscar Wilde short story of the same title which was serialized in the magazine The Court and Society Review.

Hiram Otis comes to England with his wife, daughter and two sons on a research grant; he and his family temporarily stay in a castle called Canterville Hall.

Ginny, the Otis' daughter, discovers a mysterious prophecy regarding the house's history, and a secret passage in the library leading to a cell where Sir Simon resides during the day with his raven familiar Gabriel.

Later, Francis explains to Ginny that Sir Simon was suspected of murdering his wife, Lady Eleanor, and his fate remains unknown.

During the performance, however, Sir Simon becomes distraught and disappears halfway through the scene, with Hiram insisting it was a special effect (although the rest of the family are sure it was a real ghost).

Surrendering himself to Eleanor's family for punishment, Sir Simon was locked in the cell to starve and cursed by a witch, who condemned him to haunt the house by night and lament the death of his wife by day.

Hiram hears Ginny's voice in his mind and sees her image in Sir Simon's portrait, causing him to start believing in ghosts.

That night, they hear a mysterious noise and rush to the library, where the fireplace opens to reveal Ginny trying to get home from the Realm of Darkness.