The devil, surrounded by flames, leaves hell and goes to earth where, in human form, his aim is to make people unhappy and cause evil to triumph over good. Disguised as a gardener, a plumber and a gentleman, he roams through Amsterdam in search of prey. He meets Thérèse, talented but poor, whose uprightness and purity hinder him. He sees a rich banker, Van Rijn, and his protégé and good friend, a young painter. Bringing these three people together and destroying them will be the devil's task.