Ruthless People

Sam Stone, a Beverly Hills fashion tycoon, marries Barbara solely for her wealth. Their relationship is marked by Sam's deep animosity towards Barbara, setting the stage for his ulterior motives.

Upon returning home, Sam discovers that Barbara is missing and finds a ransom note from her kidnapper. This unexpected twist disrupts Sam's plans to eliminate her and seize her fortune.

Sam's mistress, Carol, sends Earl to gather evidence of Sam's wicked intentions. However, Earl mistakenly records a couple's private moment, believing it to be evidence of Barbara's demise.

Barbara is held hostage in the basement of Ken and Sandy Kessler, a couple seeking revenge on Sam for stealing their savings. Throughout her captivity, Barbara maintains her strength and begins to gain Sandy's sympathy.

Sam receives a tape from Carol, meant to trap him, misinterpreting it as a birthday gift. He responds with a provocative message, causing Carol and Earl to go into hiding under the misapprehension that they have compromised him.

While in captivity, Barbara revitalizes her appearance through televised workout programs and becomes inspired by Sandy's fashion designs. This new confidence leads Barbara to plot her escape and take charge of her life.

Ken's desperation leads to a decreasing amount of ransom he demands for Barbara's return. He ultimately settles for a meager $10,000, which Sam dismisses, further complicating the extortion plan.

Carol sends an incriminating tape to police chief Henry Benton, but it backfires when he becomes part of the unwanted evidence. This incident paves the way for Sam's eventual arrest as the authorities discover his affair with Carol.

After regaining his moral compass, Ken deciphers the need to flee with Sandy. However, their plan to escape to Mexico is thwarted when they realize Barbara has already been freed, creating an unexpected alliance among the women.

As Barbara and Sandy plot their revenge, they are confronted by the Bedroom Killer, leading to a fierce fight. Their clash results in the killer's accidental fall down the stairs, shaping the course of their plans.

Empowered by their circumstances, Barbara, Ken, and Sandy unite to orchestrate an extortion plan against Sam. They aim to procure $2.2 million from him as retribution for his betrayal and mistreatment.

As the ransom exchange nears, Sam collects the money under duress, hoping to clear his name. However, the situation escalates further when Earl ambushes him and a disguised Ken, resulting in Earl's capture.

With law enforcement closing in, Ken threatens dire consequences for Barbara if authorities become involved. He attempts to escape, triggering a dramatic chase involving a police convoy.

In a stroke of fate, Ken leaps off the Santa Monica Pier in a desperate bid to evade capture. Miraculously, the police later recover what they believe to be his body, but it is actually that of the Bedroom Killer.

Just when everything seems lost, Barbara reappears, revealing the true killer and turning the tides. In an unexpected turn of events, Ken resurfaces triumphantly, holding a briefcase full of cash, celebrating their victory against Sam.