Tyttö (girl), played to excess by an underage Katri Naukkarinen, journeys through mysterious architectural trappings, haunted by the hytkyjät (wigglers), physically attractive but psychologically misshapen creatures. After watching them perform a ritualized show of intimidation and cruelty, she adopts a nonhuman infant called Parkakäsi (Wretchedhand). She first treats it with a mother's caring, but then callously uses it as currency in a shady drug deal. The ending, in its bleak resignation, is pure zeitgeist.