The Postman Always Rings Twice

Frank Chambers, a drifter, arrives at the quaint 'Twin Oaks' diner with District Attorney Kyle Sackett. The serene hills surrounding Los Angeles provide a picturesque backdrop as Frank acclimates to his new environment.

Frank becomes entangled in a passionate and illicit romance with Cora, the young wife of the diner’s owner, Nick. Cora, feeling trapped in her loveless marriage, seeks an escape and finds solace in Frank's company.

Cora convinces Frank to join her in a plot to free themselves from Nick. They plan to stage Nick's death as an accident, believing that it will allow them to claim the diner and start fresh.

During a power failure, Cora strikes Nick with a bag of ball-bearings in their attempt to execute their plan. However, fate intervenes when a police officer arrives unexpectedly, complicating their scheme.

Nick survives the attack but loses all memory of the incident, leaving Frank and Cora to run the diner together. For a brief moment, they enjoy a taste of freedom, unaware of the potential consequences looming ahead.

A police officer revisits the diner, revealing that Cora has returned Nick to the hospital. This visit shatters Frank and Cora’s sense of security, prompting Frank to contemplate leaving Cora to avoid further complications.

Despite his desire to leave, Frank finds himself drawn back to the market near where Nick and Cora shop for groceries. He clings desperately to the hope of reuniting with Cora, indicating his unresolved feelings for her.

Frank encounters Nick, who cryptically suggests that something significant will happen that night. Tension rises as the three gather for a meal, where Nick announces plans to sell their home, unsettling both Frank and Cora.

Frank and Cora collaborate on a new plan for a staged drunken driving accident designed to eliminate Nick. Their conspiracy grows darker as they wrestle with guilt and their motivations for wanting Nick out of their lives.

The plan culminates in chaos when Nick is killed in the accident they staged, leaving Frank severely injured. This turns their already complicated lives into an unmanageable nightmare filled with guilt and legal consequences.

Cora faces murder charges while dealing with her manipulative lawyer, Arthur Keats, who keeps crucial evidence away from the prosecution. Despite her involvement in Nick's death, she ends up with a plea deal for manslaughter.

As media attention dwindles, the diner surprisingly gains popularity, but the tension between Frank and Cora is palpable. Their impending marriage feels more like a mutual agreement rather than a commitment born of love.

While Cora tends to her ailing mother, Frank engages in a short affair with another woman. However, upon Cora's return, their relationship hangs by a thread as mistrust and betrayal seep in.

On a beach, Cora reveals that she is pregnant, which adds complexity to their tumultuous relationship. They share a moment of apparent happiness, swimming together, but the future remains uncertain.

Frank's recklessness results in a fatal car crash, claiming Cora's life. The loss leaves him grappling with profound guilt as he faces the harsh repercussions of their tumultuous journey.