In postwar Germany, 15-year-old Michael Berg’s life changes irrevocably when he embarks on an impassioned affair with the enigmatic Hanna Schmitz, a woman twice his age. Their secret liaison is filled with both excitement and puzzlement, as Hanna remains a mysterious figure to Michael. Years later, as a law student, Michael attends a trial only to discover that Hanna is the defendant, accused of a monstrous war crime. Gripped by the proceedings, Michael comes to understand that Hanna harbors a secret far more profound than her identity—a personal shame she deems worse than her alleged crimes. 'The Reader' is a poignant exploration of the conflicts between love, guilt, and the burdens of history.