经过数轮激烈角逐,新一届美国总统加勒特·沃克(迈克·吉尔 Michael Gill 饰)诞生,自称水管工的众议院多数党党鞭弗兰西斯·安德伍德(凯文·史派西 Kevin Spacey 饰)在其背后功不可没。然而高傲自大的政客弗兰西斯并未如愿当上国务卿,他为此恼怒不已,发誓要将背叛了自己的沃克拉下宝座。利用新总统拟推的综合教育改革法,弗兰西斯操纵《华盛顿先驱报》女记者佐伊·巴恩斯(凯特·玛拉 Kate Mara 饰)大做文章。初战告捷,他旋即指派手下对新政府展开新的围剿,同时巧妙化解躲避来自政敌的明枪暗箭。他犹如来自伊甸园的毒蛇,巧舌如簧,翻云覆雨,紧紧咬住所有人的弱点,以实现自己的目的。“没有永远的敌人,只有永远的利益”,这句话在弗兰西斯身上得到最佳体现……
本片根据Michael Dobbs的同名政治小说改编。
Now the Montecito has been sold to inexperienced young widow-heiress Monica Mancuso, who had it thoroughly renovated, Ed who stayed on as general manager is worried about the top-secret reopening, especially after two recent hold-ups in Indian casinos, but Monica refuses any delay so he can work in new staff. Most old key personnel has left. Danny now heads his late dad's contracting company McCoy Construction, but accepts to return as Ed's right hand, and rehires Mike -who was parking valet- and Sam, whose clients were deserting her, only Ed's daughter refuses. The boys soon find proof the construction crews have been infiltrated as there are at least two officially dead men and computer chips have been planted to cause a blackout one minute after the grand reopening starts, far more sophisticated then in either Indian casino heist.