故事发生在1950年的英国,战争给城市造成了巨大的伤害,在一片混乱中,一个名叫薇拉(伊梅尔达·斯汤顿 Imelda Staunton 饰)的女人与丈夫和儿女们勉强过着平静安定的生活。表面上看来,维拉是一个清洁女工,但一个秘密被深深的隐藏在她的心底。在空余的时间里,薇拉会通过好友莉莉(鲁斯·西恩 Ruth Sheen 饰)提供的手术室,帮助在战时怀孕的妇女堕胎,而之一举动在当时的英国是违法的。 雷吉(埃迪·马森 Eddie Marsan 饰)的加入为薇拉的家庭又增添了一份快乐,他和薇拉的女儿埃塞尔(Alex Kelly 饰)的婚礼让所有人的面孔上都蒙上了喜气。在婚礼进行之时,门被敲响,可是,到来的并非友好的祝福,却是警察的逮捕,薇拉的所作所为被公之于众。Vera Drake is a selfless woman who is completely devoted to, and loved by, her working class family. She spends her days doting on them and caring for her sick neighbor and elderly mother. However, she also secretly visits women and helps them induce miscarriages for unwanted pregnancies. While the practice itself was illegal in 1950s England, Vera sees herself as simply helping women in need, and always does so with a smile and kind words of encouragement. When the authorities finally find her out, Vera's world and family life rapidly unravel.