The film begins with a dynamic introduction to its main characters during an intense heist sequence. Veronica (Viola Davis) and Harry Rawlings (Liam Neeson) are blissfully married while Linda (Michelle Rodriguez) and Carlos Perelli (Manuel Garcia-Rulfo) run a small shop, who juggle their responsibilities with their two children, Xavy (Alejandro Verdin) and Gracie (Bailey Rhyse Walters). In stark contrast, Alice Gunner (Elizabeth Debicki) suffers abuse from her husband, Florek (Jon Bernthal), despite his occasional attempts to make amends. Meanwhile, Jimmy Nunn (Coby Goss) shares a tender goodbye kiss with his wife, Amanda (Carrie Coon).
The narrative swiftly transitions to chaos as four men, after a successful heist, find themselves chased by the police. Their escape ends tragically when their getaway van explodes, leaving Veronica to awaken in solitude.
Shifting to the political landscape of Chicago, Jack Mulligan (Colin Farrell) is in the midst of campaigning for the alderman position in the 18th ward, hoping to live up to the legacy of his father, Tom (Robert Duvall). However, he clashes with Jamal Manning (Brian Tyree Henry), who wields considerable influence and seeks to undermine Jack at every turn. At home, Veronica faces the crushing weight of grief at Harry’s funeral, where she is further drawn into the world of political maneuvering by Jack, who offers his assistance in light of their shared loss.
Amid the backdrop of mourning, the women grapple with their harsh new realities. Veronica is confronted by Jamal who demands the return of $2 million that Harry allegedly stole, threatening her when he holds her pet dog Olivia as leverage. Linda discovers repossessors clearing her shop due to Carlos's debts, while Alice contemplates a grim proposal from her mother, Agnieska (Jacki Weaver), to become an escort after rebuffing a suggestion to enter that world.
As Veronica digs deeper, she uncovers Harry’s plans for a second heist involving $5 million, drawing the widows into a plot of desperation and retribution. With reluctance, Linda and Alice join Veronica’s scheme, motivated by the looming threat posed by the Mannings.
In a series of escalating confrontations, Veroica and the other widows decide to take matters into their own hands. They ensure the heist unfolds under the darkness of the night, with Belle (Cynthia Erivo) standing ready to distract security. However, violence erupts when they are discovered, leading to deadly encounters with the foes seeking to reclaim what they believe is theirs.
In a pivotal showdown, Tom confronts the women, only to meet his demise at their hands. The actions ignite a chaotic chase as the women face off against Jatemme, leading to a reckoning that entwines their fates irrevocably. Following the thrilling heist, Veronica comes squarely face-to-face with Harry, culminating in a confrontation defined by betrayal, rage, and survival.
The film closes on a note of new beginnings and hope, as the women, having transformed their grief into empowerment, take their lives back into their own hands. They each pursue fresh starts—Alice opens her own business, Linda recovers her shop for her children, and Veronica honors her son Marcus by supporting a library in his name. The final scene echoes a sense of communal resilience as Veronica and Alice greet one another, solidifying their bond forged through shared hardship and tenacity.
