Barbara, an old woman who loves to paint, is moved to a retirement home by her daughter after Barbara falls one too many times. There, Barbara has to deal with a foreboding nurse, threatening residents, and locked double doors, behind which she hears frightening noises. She learns that's 'the ward,' where the put you if you don't behave. It seems like her daughter has checked her into a hall of nightmares until she meets fellow resident Minnie, who loves Barbara's paintings and to whom Barbara forms an immediate bond, almost like they're sisters. All seems well between the two new friends, until Barbara realizes there's more to Minnie and the ward than meets the eye. A different kind of coming of age.