Raimunda (Penelope Cruz) works and lives Madrid with her husband Paco and daughter Paula. Her sister Sole (Lola Duenas) lives nearby and they both miss their mother Irene (Carmen Maura), who died several years ago in a house fire along with their father. A former neighbor from their hometown reports that she has seen the ghost of Irene and both daughters do not believe her. After a murder and a family tragedy, Irene's spirit materializes around her daughters to help comfort them.