The film, emulating Reymont's novel, unfolds in four distinct segments that reflect each of the seasons, capturing a pivotal year in the late 19th century within the quaint village of Lipce. At the heart of this narrative is Jagna Paczesiówna, a young and enchanting peasant woman, skilled in the art of cutouts. However, she finds herself entangled in a tumultuous affair with Antek Boryna, the son of the wealthiest farmer, Maciej Boryna. Their romance flourishes despite the fact that Antek is already married to Hanka, who struggles with the betrayal of her husband's infidelity.
As tensions rise, the patriarch Maciej Boryna—a widower longing for companionship—sets his sights on Jagna for marriage, offering her six acres of land as part of the dowry. While his intentions please her mother, Marcjanna Paczes 'Dominikowa', both Antek and Hanka vehemently oppose this union. A bitter confrontation ensues, leading to Boryna ordering his son and daughter-in-law, along with their three children, to vacate the farm. Forced to subsist in hardship, Antek's family moves in with his father-in-law, while a lavish wedding takes place between Boryna and Jagna, which Antek and Hanka do not attend.
Despite her new marriage, Jagna continues her clandestine relationship with Antek, much to the dismay of Boryna, who frequently discovers his wife with his son. In a turn of events, Boryna becomes incensed when the landowners' court decides to fell the peasants' forests, igniting a fierce resentment. He rallies the village men for a violent reprisal against the landowners, but this conflict ends tragically for Boryna, who suffers a serious injury that leads Antek to exact revenge.
As the local Russian troops intervene, they arrest many peasants from Lipce, including Antek. Following the chaos, Hanka takes charge of Boryna's farm, doing her best to undermine Jagna during this trying time, while Jagna faces growing isolation from the community that holds her responsible for their misfortunes. While Boryna lays on his deathbed, he covertly imparts knowledge of his hidden fortune to Hanka, which she utilizes to buy provisions for her children.
In a desperate attempt to bail out Antek from prison, Jagna finds herself prey to the mayor's advances, leading to a harrowing experience where she narrowly escapes a potential assault. Tragically, Boryna succumbs while trying to sow his field, catalyzing a series of events that see Antek return to take control of his father’s farm. When he encounters Jagna at their cherished meeting spot, he seeks to mend their relationship. However, their reunion turns violent, with Antek forcing himself upon her.
As a drought devastates Lipce, Jagna, now back in her childhood home, refuses a marriage proposal from Mateusz, a carpenter. In the shifting power dynamics of the village, Antek rises to prominence while Hanka embarks on a pilgrimage, seeking solace. During a village meeting at a local inn, tensions explode when the mayor's wife claims her husband has misused town funds on Jagna, leading to accusations against Jagna that suggest her actions have invited divine retribution upon Lipce.
Incited by outrage, the villagers make the drastic decision to banish Jagna, a measure Antek passively endorses. The next day, an angry mob storms Dominikowa’s home, where Hanka and her allies attempt to shield Jagna from the onslaught. Their resistance fails, leaving Jagna vulnerable as the villagers brutalize her, stripping her bare and dragging her to the outskirts of the village, where they abandon her amidst jeers and humiliation. However, as the rain washes away the filth, Jagna rises resolutely, stepping forward into the unknown world ahead.
