1922

In 1922, Wilfred 'Wilf' James and his wife, Arlette, are caught in a fierce dispute over her inherited land. While Arlette wishes to sell and relocate to Omaha for a fresh start, Wilf is adamantly against the idea, clinging to his pride and the family's agricultural roots.

Frustrated by Arlette's determination, Wilf devises a malevolent scheme to eliminate her from their lives. He manipulates their teenage son, Henry, threatening their relationship with his girlfriend Shannon to gain his support in the deadly plot.

Wilf feigns support for Arlette's land sale, leading her to a celebratory night where she drinks heavily. In a tragic turn, after putting Arlette to bed, Wilf brutally murders her with the help of Henry, horrifically covering her face before committing the act.

Following the murder, the plan to bury Arlette in the cornfield fails when Henry panics, leaving Wilf to dispose of her body in a dry well. To mask their actions, they drop a cow into the well to provide an alternative explanation for its backfilling.

Arlette’s sudden disappearance raises suspicions, prompting Sheriff Jones to investigate. Wilf and Henry face increasing pressure as they attempt to conceal the truth behind her vanishing, but their guilt begins to seep through the cracks.

As time passes, Henry is overwhelmed by guilt, becoming a shadow of his former self. Meanwhile, Shannon discovers she is pregnant, leading her parents to send her away to a Catholic institution in Omaha, separating her from Henry.

Unable to cope with the separation from Shannon, Henry steals Wilf's car in a desperate act of love and urgency. He escapes with Shannon, hoping to create a new life for themselves despite the dark past that haunts them.

Winter brings a new wave of torment for Wilf, plunging him into madness as he is haunted by rats, symbolic of his guilt and memories of Arlette. His mental decline leads to the disintegration of his home and his own psyche, leading him to alcohol for solace.

Wilf's neglect culminates in an unfortunate rat bite that requires amputation, serving as a grim representation of his crumbling existence. The infection manifests his guilt, leaving him in a physical state that parallels his mental deterioration.

In a climactic moment, Wilf is confronted by the spectral image of Arlette surrounded by rats, revealing the fate of Henry and Shannon. They have turned to a life of crime, echoing the infamous Bonnie and Clyde, hinting at tragedy ahead.

Tragedy strikes as Henry and Shannon attempt a robbery, resulting in Shannon's death during a violent confrontation. This devastating loss shatters Henry, plunging him further into despair and guilt over the life choices they've made.

Overwhelmed by grief after Shannon's death, Henry makes the heart-wrenching decision to take his own life. His demise parallels Arlette's fate, leaving his body to decay and serving as a haunting reminder of their family's downfall.

Wilf's attempts to redeem his legacy are met with rejection from Harlan Cotterie, Shannon's father, who drives him away in contempt. This forces Wilf deeper into isolation as he faces the demons of his past actions alone.

Eight years after the tragedy in 1930, Wilf writes a chilling confession that reflects on his life choices that led to his family's destruction. He poignantly concludes with the statement, 'In the end, we all get caught,' embodying his inevitable reckoning.

As Wilf faces the remnants of his past—the memories of Arlette, Henry, and Shannon—he finds himself wielding the very knife that severed his family ties. Surrounded by rats, he confronts the consequences of his actions, ultimately facing his own demise.