Lester (Martin Freeman) is just a small insurance salesman. At home, he suffers from the oppression and contempt of his strong wife. Outside, his former high school classmates can also give him a head start on the street. For everything he has experienced, Lester, who is cowardly and gentle, chose to swallow his anger. By chance, Lester met a man named Malvo (Billy Bob Thornton) in the hospital. What Lester didn't expect was that this mysterious man turned out to be a cold and cruel professional killer. Under long-term depression, Lester finally broke out and killed his wife. In panic, he called Malvo for help. Unexpectedly, the town sheriff came. Malvo, who came later, killed the sheriff and fled. In a hurry, Lester attributed his wife's death to Malvo. Policewoman Molly (Allison Tolman) did not believe what Lester said, but linked the bloody case in Lester's home with a series of deaths in the town in recent days.