Therese, a sexually repressed beautiful young woman, is trapped into a loveless marriage to her sickly cousin, Camille, by her domineering aunt, Madame Raquin. Therese spends her days confined behind the counter of a small shop and her evenings watching Madame play dominos with and eclectic group. After she meets her husbands alluring friend, Laurent, she embarks on an illicit affair that leads to tragic consequences.