After World War II, Freddie Quell struggled to adjust to civilian life due to his traumatic experiences in the tropics. He had a short temper, was obsessed with sex, and was an alcoholic, which led to frequent job losses. One night, while drunk, Freddie stumbled upon a yacht belonging to Lancaster and Peggy Dodd, and Lancaster invited him to stay on and work. Freddie became indoctrinated into the Dodds' cult, known as the Cause, which claimed to cure various ailments and bring world peace.

The Master
A disillusioned war veteran finds new meaning in life after being drawn to a powerful and persuasive ideology led by a charismatic figure.