McCabe & Mrs. Miller

In the dusty boomtown of Presbyterian Church, Washington, in 1902, John McCabe makes a grand entrance. His enigmatic charm and audacious reputation precede him, captivating the lethargic residents of the town.

McCabe quickly establishes a thriving brothel and gambling hall, partnering with the British madam Constance Miller. The businesses flourish, reflecting McCabe's charismatic influence over the townspeople.

As McCabe and Constance's businesses prosper, their romantic involvement deepens. However, it is underlined by a sense of transactionality that defines their relationship amidst the backdrop of the bustling boomtown.

Representatives from the Harrison Shaughnessy Mining Company arrive in town, aiming to purchase McCabe's establishments and the nearby zinc mines. McCabe, however, staunchly declines their initial offer, igniting their fury.

Following McCabe's rejection, three hired guns—Butler, Breed, and Kid—come to town with an ominous mission to eliminate him. Their presence heightens the sense of doom that hangs over McCabe as he grapples with his fears.

Feeling intimidated by the threats against him, McCabe debates whether to sell his enterprises. Mocked by Butler's scornful remarks about his past, he contemplates a path forward as the danger closes in.

Desiring a peaceful resolution, McCabe travels to Bearpaw to seek out the mining company agents. Unfortunately, he discovers that they have mysteriously vanished, leaving him with growing uncertainty.

Returning to Presbyterian Church, McCabe consults with Clement Samuels, a lawyer and aspiring politician. Samuels advises him to stand his ground against the mining company, encouraging McCabe to fight back.

In a moment of introspection, McCabe seeks refuge in the chapel but is confronted by the pastor, who defiantly holds a shotgun. The confrontation escalates, culminating in the pastor's tragic death at the hands of Butler.

Following the pastor's death, chaos ensues as a lantern shatters, igniting a fire that engulfs the chapel. The townsfolk scramble to extinguish the flames, showcasing their efforts to protect their community from destruction.

Amidst the chaos, McCabe takes matters into his own hands by ambushing hired guns Breed and Kid. Although he succeeds in eliminating them, he suffers a grievous injury during the fight, impacting his fate.

As the townspeople focus on battling the flames, Butler targets McCabe with a hunting rifle. In a desperate last move, McCabe retrieves a derringer and manages to kill Butler before succumbing to his own injuries.

While the townspeople celebrate their victory over the fire, McCabe lies dying alone in the cold. The contrast between the community's triumph and his tragic fate underscores the solitary nature of his final moments.

In the aftermath of McCabe's demise, Constance Miller is left in a haze within the opium den, her future forever intertwined with McCabe's tragic story. Her plight reflects the loss and chaos that ensues in the wake of his fall.