Old Hags

Lyuba decided to sell her inherited Kremlin-view apartment for 100 thousand dollars to buy cheaper housing on the outskirts of Moscow. Her motivation was to secure a safer and simpler life, likely prompted by her reduced circumstances after transitioning from an intelligent former railway worker to selling newspapers for income.

Earlier scenes show Lyuba struggling to make ends meet as a newspaper seller, establishing why she needed to liquidate her assets.

Businessman Khomenko posed as a legitimate buyer but was actually a fraudster. He took possession of Lyuba's apartment through deceptive means, leaving her penniless and homeless with no money or housing.

The four friends devised a meticulous plan to punish Khomenko and disrupt his criminal enterprise. They coordinated their efforts across their different workplaces in Moscow, using resourcefulness and risk to undermine his operations and reclaim Lyuba's home.

Lazovsky, a theater administrator, and General Dubovitsky joined the women's cause as unlikely allies. Their involvement added legitimacy, weight, and crucial support to the women's bold actions against Khomenko, helping tilt the balance in their favor.

The women were arrested because some of their methods to disrupt Khomenko's operations crossed legal lines. Despite their righteous intent to reclaim Lyuba's home and expose his fraud, their actions fell outside the law, leading to detention and imprisonment.

During the trial, the full truth about Khomenko's fraudulent schemes came to light. The judge recognized the women's intent and behavior, ultimately granting them acquittal. The courtroom drama revealed Khomenko's corrupt backstory and criminal activities.

The women were acquitted because the trial revealed Khomenko's true nature as a fraudster who had illegally taken Lyuba's apartment. The judge saw through the fraud and recognized that the women's actions, while technically illegal, were motivated by justice and survival against a criminal.

After their acquittal and victory, the four friends decided to form a new identity around their bond and shared resilience. They christened their group the 'Old Hags' as a symbol of their solidarity and their ability to transform hardship into opportunity through humor and camaraderie.

The unbreakable loyalty between the four women proved to be their greatest asset. When Lyuba became homeless, her three friends rallied to support her with resolve born of friendship and grit. Their solidarity allowed them to coordinate a complex plan, endure imprisonment together, and ultimately prevail against a powerful adversary.

After their acquittal, the women channeled their hard-won solidarity into a collective artistic venture. They began performing as Old Hags in Moscow venues, turning their bravery, humor, and shared experiences into music and public performances. The film ends on a hopeful note with them embracing their second act together.

After the trial revealed his fraudulent schemes and criminal enterprise, Khomenko faced the consequences of his actions. While the exact outcome for him isn't detailed, the women's successful campaign disrupted his operations and exposed his crimes, bringing him to justice.