The Match Factory Girl

Iris lives with her middle-aged mother and stepfather who spend most of their time watching the news. They expect her to hand over all her earnings from the match factory and do all the housework. The constant pressure from her parents sets the stage for Iris's longing for independence.

She buys a highly coloured dress in the hope that it will attract partners. Her parents call her a whore and demand she return it. Defiantly, Iris wears the dress to a dance club, signaling a break from their control.

At the club, Aarne misreads her because of the dress and thinks she is a prostitute, though Iris does not realize it. They spend the night together at his plush apartment. Aarne departs the next morning, leaving money for her on the bedside table.

Iris leaves her number and, after waiting for a call, visits him to arrange a second date. Aarne meets her parents when he calls for her, and at the end of the dinner he harshly informs her that he does not seek her affection and tells her to leave. Iris returns home in tears.

Iris discovers she is pregnant and writes to Aarne asking him to raise the child with her. She receives a reply simply stating "Get rid of the brat," along with a cheque for 10,000 markka. Iris becomes distraught and goes outside.

While wandering around upset, Iris is hit by a car and has a miscarriage. The accident lands her in the hospital, where she faces physical and emotional trauma. The incident marks a turning point in her life as the pain deepens.

Her stepfather visits Iris in the hospital and tells her she must move out of the apartment because she has caused her mother great pain. Iris is left to process the abrupt cut of support from her family. The family rift widens as she confronts her future alone.

Iris moves in with her brother and becomes increasingly despondent about her future. She drifts through days feeling hollow and powerless, with little hope of escape. The weight of rejection pushes her toward further isolation.

Iris buys rat poison and mixes it with water, preparing a small bottle to carry with her. She plans to use it against Aarne, convinced that she must resolve the situation on her own terms. Her resolve marks a dangerous turn toward self-destruction.

Iris goes to Aarne's apartment and asks for a drink. While he leaves to fetch ice, she pours poison into his drink and tells him that everything is taken care of and that this will be the last time he sees her. Aarne, unaware, drinks the tainted beverage and becomes another part of Iris's plan.

On the way home, Iris stops at a bar, orders a beer, and sits reading. A man sits beside her and tries to catch her attention. Iris smiles, takes out the remaining poison, and pours a portion into his glass before leaving.

Iris visits her mother and stepfather, prepares a meal, and pours the rest of the poison into their bottle of vodka while they are next door. She sits in the living room, smoking and listening to music as the events unfold. Later, she discovers that her parents are dead.

The next day at work, Iris is taken away by the police. The arrest marks the culmination of the chaotic chain of events driven by desperation and tragedy. Her fate is left for the audience to contemplate.