St. Nicholas Catholic School, Bronx, New York, 1964. Sister Aloysius Beville (Meryl Streep Meryl Streep) is forbidden, dogmatic and feared by the students, while the new priest in Brendan Flynn (Philip Seymour Hoffman Philip Seymour Hoffman) is kind, open-minded and loved by the students. During this period, Flynn is particularly concerned about Donald Miller (Joseph Foster), the first black student in the history of the school. One day, Sister James (Amy Adams) reports Donald's strange performance to Sister Belleville. Beville decided that Flynn was developing an improper relationship with the boy, and she was determined to stop it at all costs. But what is the truth?