The movie follows two distinct plot lines until the two eventually merge: the first is that of the bored middle-aged man seeking a departure from monotony in his life; the second is that of the blind man and the little boy, his grandson, who are interdependent. None of the characters have been given names and are therefore referred to only by description. The city is an expressionistic nightmare, a dangerous and chaotic place.

La calle, es un testimonio directo de la crisis moral que atraviesa la nación alemana. Es la historia de un funcionario que se ahoga en su vida familiar y se siente irresistiblemente atraído por la vida nocturna donde es seducido por una joven. El drama se desarrolla en una sola noche en la cual, el protagonista es acusado de asesinato.