Rough Magic takes place in the 1950s and follows the journey of an apprentice magician who flees to Mexico in order to escape her wealthy politician fiancé and seek the guidance of a Mayan shaman who will teach her ancient magic. Throughout her travels, she is pursued by a detective hired by her fiancé. This detective is a former photojournalist who has been deeply affected by his experiences in Hiroshima. The two of them team up to find the shaman, and despite the detective's growing feelings for her, the magician does not feel the same. When the magician finally finds the shaman, she drinks a powerful potion which gives her the ability to perform magic. This potion has a profound impact on her life and her relationship with the detective. As they continue to experience strange, magical occurrences, they must navigate the challenges of their newfound abilities and their changing feelings for each other.