In a 1930s Los Angeles, a private detective named J.J. Gittes finds himself immersed in an intricate game of deceit and corruption when he is hired to investigate an apparent case of infidelity. His client, a beautiful woman who introduces herself as Evelyn Mulwray, is concerned about her husband, a powerful city engineer, who seems to be involved in a scandal. Everything seems straightforward at first, but Gittes soon discovers that every corner of the city is more dangerous than it appears.
As he digs deeper, he encounters a dark web that touches on themes of political corruption, the control of Los Angeles' water supply, and family secrets that unearth years of clues about a toxic relationship among the elites. With every clue uncovered, Gittes plunges into a world of intrigue where nothing is as it seems. Revelations about Evelyn and her relationship with her husband lead him into a series of increasingly intense confrontations that put his life in jeopardy. In the climax, the pursuit of the truth leads him to a chilling revelation that will change his life and the lives of those around him forever.
The film's noir atmosphere and unsettling direction create a dark mosaic where morality is ambiguous, leaving you pondering long after the credits have rolled.