When antiques dealer Jesús Gris (Federico Luppi) discovers an ancient artifact in the form of a golden mechanical scarab, he is unaware of the power it holds. Whilst the parasite inside the device grants eternal life to its new host, it also causes an extreme aversion to daylight and an unquenchable thirst for human blood. Desperate to claim the device for himself, a dying millionaire (Claudio Brook) and his brutish nephew (Ron Perlman) are in hot pursuit.