A Simple Plan

Hank Mitchell, a bookkeeper, and his pregnant wife, Sarah, live a serene life in the countryside of Wright County, Minnesota. Hank, one of the few college graduates in town, enjoys a stable existence while Sarah works as the local librarian.

While out chasing a fox with his brother Jacob and friend Lou, Hank discovers a downed airplane in the woods. Intrigued, he ventures inside and is shocked to find a dead body along with a bag filled with $4.4 million in cash.

Despite Hank's initial intention to report the shocking discovery to the authorities, Jacob and Lou persuade him to keep it a secret. Hank ultimately decides to hide the money in his home until they can determine whether the plane will be found.

When Sheriff Carl Jenkins encounters the trio, they discuss the plane's discovery. However, Jacob inadvertently raises suspicion with his slip of the tongue, prompting Hank to further conceal their secret.

Concerned about being discovered, Sarah suggests that Hank return some money to the crash site. Hank reluctantly agrees and takes Jacob with him, but during their encounter with local farmer Dwight, a struggle ensues and leads to Dwight's accidental death.

In a panic, Hank and Jacob decide to dispose of Dwight's body, making it appear as an accident. This terrible decision marks the beginning of their descent into a web of violence and deceit.

Later that night, Lou, fueled by alcohol, pressures Hank for a share of the money. Upon learning about Dwight's murder from Jacob, Lou threatens to go to the police, putting Hank and Jacob in a precarious position.

After giving birth to their daughter, Sarah devises a plan to entrap Lou by getting him drunk. She records a false confession from him about Dwight's murder, leaving Hank to question Jacob's loyalty as tensions rise.

Upon realizing he's been tricked, Lou confronts Hank at gunpoint, leading to a chaotic standoff. In a desperate attempt to protect Hank, Jacob shoots Lou, triggering a series of violent events.

As the chaos escalates, Lou's wife Nancy retaliates against Hank, resulting in Hank killing her in self-defense. This tragic event complicates their already perilous situation even further.

To conceal their involvement in the bloodshed, Hank and Jacob frame the incidents as a domestic dispute. Their plan starts to unravel as Sheriff Carl seeks their help in locating the missing plane.

Sarah's investigations lead her to discover that the money is tied to a kidnapping case. She realizes that FBI agent Baxter may not be who he claims, leading her to warn Hank of the impending dangers.

As they search the woods, Hank's instincts protect him and lead to a violent clash. When Sheriff Carl stumbles upon the plane, Hank attempts to reveal Baxter's true nature but is too late, leading to his own desperate self-defense.

Feeling the weight of his actions and the crumbling world around him, Jacob implores Hank to end his own life. Ultimately, Jacob chooses to take his life, leaving Hank in an emotional turmoil and a moral dilemma.

Legitimate FBI agents reveal they had been tracking the cash all along, leaving Hank with no option to safely use it. In a dramatic conclusion, Hank decides to destroy the money, reflecting on how their decisions have entangled them in irreversible consequences.