In a picturesque French village after World War II, a solitary woman, marked by tragedy and suffering, leads an austere life as the owner of a tavern. Her routine is disrupted when a mysterious stranger enters her life, a fugitive with a dark past seeking refuge after being in prison. As a tense relationship develops between them, the woman feels captivated by the man's strength and vulnerability, who offers her a spark of emotions she thought she had lost.
However, their lives become even more complicated when local tensions and old grievances within the village come into play. Love mingles with danger, and secrets begin to surface, revealing the complexity of their pasts. As they try to find their way in a world that seems against them, both protagonists must confront not only their own demons but also the violence of an environment that does not accept redemption.
In addition to being an intense love story, the narrative explores themes of loneliness, guilt, and the quest for freedom in a judgmental world. Amidst the devastation of war and the struggle for survival, these characters seek to find their place in a cruel and often relentless reality. With an emotional backdrop, the film offers a profound analysis of human nature and the capacity to love amid chaos.