"Downtrodden housewife Katerina is seduced by Sergey. They are spotted by Katerina's father-in-law Boris. Katerina poisons Boris and with Sergey's help murders her husband Zinovy.

At Katerina and Sergey's wedding Zinovy's body is discovered. They are deported to a prison camp. There Sergey taunts Katerina with his new lover Sonyetka. Katerina drowns herself, taking Sonyetka with her."