Professional photographer L.B. "Jeff" Jefferies (James Stewart) breaks his leg while getting an action shot at an auto race. Confined to his New York apartment, he spends his time looking out of the rear window observing the neighbors. He begins to suspect that a man (Raymond Burr) across the courtyard may have murdered his wife. Jeff enlists the help of his high society fashion-consultant girlfriend Lisa Fremont (Grace Kelly) and his visiting nurse Stella (Thelma Ritter) to investigate.