A young man, Graham, inherits his uncle's collection of native art, including an African black magic doll which he and his girl friend, Sarah, call 'Charlie Boy'. In ignorance of its power, Graham uses 'Charlie Boy' to kill a dangerous driver and to place a curse on a cousin who has cheated him - but he inadvertently directs the curse at all the people in a photograph, including Sarah and himself. Graham's brother, Mark, his uncle's housekeeper, Gwen, and his friend Phil all die, and Graham tries frantically to undo his curse. On the advice of Heinz, an antique dealer, he plans to destroy 'Charlie Boy' - but the doll has its eye on him.