Thomas Lang is a film director who is offered the chance to adapt a book by American journalist Simone Ford, which recounts the controversial trial of American student Jessica Fuller for the murder of her roommate Elizabeth Pryce. To help with his research, Simone takes Thomas to Siena, where he is disturbed by the media frenzy that has developed around the case. After visiting the crime scene, Thomas, who is separated from his wife and daughter, begins to question not only the motives of the people around him, from the financiers of the film to the press corps, but also his own. As Thomas descends into his own personal torment, he is rescued by his friendship with a young, guileless British tudent, Melanie. Why are we fascinated by murder? Inspired by the killing of British student Meredith Kercher in Italy, The Face of An Angel looks beyond the salacious headlines to explore both the media and the public′s obsession with violent stories, whether fictional or real.