Ellen Berent (Gene Tierney) and her husband, writer Richard Harland (Cornel Wilde), move to his lodge in Maine. In order to be completely alone with him, stands by as Richard's crippled brother (Darryl Hickman) drowns in the lake. Pregnant Ellen also purposely miscarries their child. When Ellen's sister Ruth (Jeanne Crain) visits, Ellen's paranoia forces her to confess to Richard that she was responsible for the accidents. Sickened by Ellen's confession, Richard leaves her for good. But Ellen's next plan is the ultimate revenge.

Vinnie gets a great court-room scene as the prosectuor in the case against Ruth, accused on killing the woman he still loves - Ellen. A perverse, film noir treat for all melodrama fans.