Daisy Kenyon

Daisy Kenyon, a Manhattan commercial artist, starts an affair with Dan O'Mara, a married and self-assured lawyer. The relationship pulls her into a dangerous romance as Dan's charm masks his obligations elsewhere. This early entanglement sets the emotional center of the story.

That same night, Dan takes his wife Lucille and their 13-year-old daughter to New York's Stork Club, where Daisy and Peter are waiting to be seated. Daisy and Peter leave immediately, exposing the instability behind Dan's public persona. The moment foreshadows the conflicts to come.

After that evening, Peter openly tells Daisy that he loves her, but she soon realizes he remains in love with his late wife. The revelation complicates the possibility of a future together. This tension drives Daisy toward a hesitant choice about commitment.

Despite still loving Dan, Daisy marries Peter after a brief and hesitant courtship. She supports Peter as he navigates a postwar career and his moody, exuberant moods.

Daisy believes she has gotten over Dan as she settles into married life with Peter. She backs his postwar ambitions and begins to feel more secure about their future together.

Lucille announces she wants a divorce and uses full custody of the children as leverage to hurt Dan. The threatened breakup heightens the emotional stakes for everyone involved, including Daisy who fears public exposure of their history.

Dan asks Daisy and Peter to permit him to reveal the full details of his relationship with Daisy during the divorce proceedings. Peter refuses to stand in Daisy's way and says he no longer needs her, signaling a tentative withdrawal.

The divorce trial starts, but Dan sees how deeply it hurts Daisy and stops the proceedings. He asks Peter to sign divorce papers, even though Daisy did not request them, revealing the complexity and pain behind their tangled past.

Daisy goes to her Cape Cod house to work and escape the city turmoil. Dan calls from the train station, saying he is bringing Peter to settle things, escalating the tension.

Panicked by the impending confrontation, Daisy flees. Her car skids on an icy road and rolls over, leaving her to stumble out into the cold. She continues on foot toward the cottage through a snowstorm.

Daisy reaches the cottage where Dan and Peter are playing cards and demands that both leave. After a tense exchange, Peter steps out to the waiting cab, signaling a potential separation.

Daisy is appalled to learn that Dan gave up the children to obtain his divorce and she admits that she stopped loving him a long time ago. The revelation clarifies her feelings and underscores the end of their romance.

Peter steps out and tells Daisy he is going home to his wife, signaling a decision to end the affair. He then returns to the house, preparing to reconcile or move on with his life.

Peter returns to the house, and he and Daisy toast their future and embrace. The moment confirms their decision to pursue a life together despite their past entanglements.