The Dressmaker

In 1926, a tragedy strikes in the rural town of Dungatar when schoolgirl Myrtle Dunnage is blamed for the death of her classmate, Stewart Pettyman. Local police sergeant Horatio Farrat exiles her from the town, leaving Myrtle to grapple with the injustice and trauma of her past.

Twenty-five years later in 1951, Myrtle returns to Dungatar as an accomplished dressmaker, now calling herself Tilly. With her skilled hands and a passion for fashion, she hopes to uncover the truth surrounding Stewart's death while integrating back into a town that still harbors resentment.

During a local football final, Tilly's red couture gown catches the eyes of everyone, distracting the players from the opposing team. As a result of Tilly's unexpected entrance, Dungatar narrowly wins the match, showcasing the powerful impact of her arrival.

Tilly agrees to make a dress for Gertrude Pratt for an upcoming dance, but with a condition: she wants the truth about Stewart's death. Gertrude, in a moment of vulnerability, reveals that Tilly had been bullied by Stewart, and that it was her own defense that led to the tragic accident.

At the dance, Gertrude's stunning dress crafted by Tilly captures the attention of William Beaumont, leading them to a romantic engagement. The townspeople, enamored by Tilly's creations, begin to seek her out for more elaborate dresses, reigniting her popularity.

Sergeant Farrat confides in Tilly that her exile was orchestrated by blackmail from Stewart's father, Evan. This revelation deepens their bond, as they both share a mutual passion for fashion and the burden of their past secrets within the town.

Evan, resentful of Tilly's success, recruits Una Pleasance to start a competing dressmaking service. However, the townspeople quickly gravitate back to Tilly after she is commissioned to create Gertrude's wedding dress, leading to rivalry and dissatisfaction for Una.

Tilly, eager to understand the truth, bribes Farrat to access a witness statement from her former teacher, Beulah. After reading it, she becomes convinced Beulah lied due to fear of reprisal from Evan, and expresses her frustration at a wedding reception.

During a confrontation with Farrat, Tilly learns a shocking truth: Evan is her father. This revelation shakes her to the core as she battles with betrayal and the legacy of her family's dark history in the town.

Teddy reveals the circumstances of Stewart's death to Tilly, explaining how Stewart threatened her and how the accident occurred. This critical moment clarifies Tilly's past and, for the first time, allows her to understand her role in the tragic event.

Following their emotional revelations, Tilly and Teddy connect intimately, deepening their relationship. However, tragedy strikes when Teddy's brother, Barney, foolishly jumps into a grain silo and accidentally asphyxiates, further darkening the town's atmosphere.

After suffering from a stroke, Tilly's mother, Molly, passes away. In her final moments, she urges Tilly to channel her skills against the townsfolk who have wronged them, serving as a catalyst for Tilly's revenge.

Tilly, in a fit of anger after a series of events, injures Beulah during a drunken outburst. Beulah is then sent away, ostensibly for treatment, but in reality, she is taken to an asylum, illustrating the lengths the town goes to suppress the truth.

In a dramatic turn of events, Tilly exposes Evan's infidelities to his wife, Marigold, which leads her to brutally attack him. This act of vengeance culminates in Evan's gruesome demise, showcasing the fallout of his previous actions.

In a symbolic act of liberation, Tilly sets her house ablaze and rolls a bolt of fabric down the hill towards Dungatar. Declaring herself free of the town's curse, she departs on a train, leaving behind the remnants of a town that once shunned her.

Upon returning to Dungatar, the townspeople find the remnants of their once-thriving community reduced to ashes. Tilly's final act of defiance serves as a powerful reminder of the consequences of their actions against her.