In early twentieth century St Petersburg, pornographer Johann (Sergei Makovetskii) makes money selling photographs of blindfolded young women being spanked. His customers include Liza (Dinara Drukarova), daughter of engineer Radlov, who employs Johann's sister as his maid. Johann is also interested in twin sisters Kolia and Tolia, daughters of Dr Stasov and his blind wife Ekaterina Kirillovna. Although both Radlove and Dr Stasov resent Johann's intrusion into their daughters' lives, he connives to involve the women in his work, seeking to wed Liza while simultaneously planning to use Kolia and Tolia in pornographic films.

Arriving in Moscow, Chechen veteran Danila (Sergei Bodrov Jr) meets Konstantin, an old friend who tells him that his twin brother has been forced into signing a crooked contract with a US ice hockey team. Soon after this meeting, Danila discovers Konstantin dead and he sets out to avenge his death; a journey that leads him to Chicago and a whole new experience.