Chinatown

A woman claiming to be Evelyn Mulwray approaches private investigator Jake Gittes, seeking his help to follow her husband, Hollis Mulwray. Gittes is intrigued and agrees to take on her case, unaware that he is being deceived.

While tailing Hollis Mulwray, Gittes witnesses him publicly oppose the construction of a new reservoir. Gittes captures photographs of Mulwray with a young woman, which sensationally make headlines shortly after.

Gittes is confronted by the authentic Evelyn Mulwray, who threatens him with a lawsuit for deception. She reveals that Gittes had been misled by an impostor, prompting him to realize the gravity of the situation.

Lieutenant Lou Escobar retrieves the drowned body of Hollis Mulwray from a freshwater reservoir. This tragic event compels Gittes to take on the murder investigation on behalf of the real Mrs. Mulwray.

Gittes encounters hostility from Claude Mulvihill, the Water Department's Security Chief, who warns him to back off from the investigation. This act of intimidation demonstrates the power dynamics at play within the Water Department.

Ida Sessions, who masqueraded as Mrs. Mulwray, contacts Gittes, urging him to check the latest obituaries. Her tip leads Gittes deeper into the case and reveals more about the tangled relationships surrounding Mulwray.

Through his research, Gittes uncovers the troubled relationship between Hollis Mulwray and Noah Cross, Evelyn's father. He learns that Mulwray believed in public ownership of water resources, which led to a significant fallout with Cross.

During a tense lunch, Noah Cross warns Gittes about the dangers of his investigation and offers to double his fee if he can find Mulwray's missing mistress. This meeting sets the stage for escalating tensions and threat.

Gittes discovers alarming changes in land ownership within the Northwest Valley, revealing a potential conspiracy involving planned irrigation projects. He begins to suspect that the droughts are being artificially created to lower property values.

Gittes and Evelyn infiltrate a former retirement home to gather more evidence about Mulwray. Their investigation is interrupted when the director recognizes them, triggering a frantic escape.

After evading capture, Gittes and Evelyn find refuge in her home. Their shared experience brings them closer, igniting a romantic connection between the two.

Gittes trails Evelyn to discover that she is comforting Mulwray's mistress, who turns out to be her estranged sister. This shocking twist complicates the investigation and deepens the underlying family drama.

Gittes finds a pair of bifocals at Evelyn's mansion that could provide critical insights into Mulwray's death. In a moment of intense vulnerability, Evelyn confesses dark truths about her past involving her father, Noah Cross.

The climax escalates as Gittes is forced to help Cross and Mulvihill locate the women he is trying to protect. Amidst the chaos, a tragic confrontation ensues, leading to further heartbreak.

In a heart-wrenching moment, Evelyn is shot while attempting to protect her sister from Noah Cross. The film closes on a somber note as Gittes reflects on the events, underscoring the inescapable darkness of the world he navigates.