In the frigid landscape of Minnesota, a financially desperate car salesman, Jerry Lundegaard, concocts a scheme to have his wife kidnapped by two thugs so he can extort a hefty ransom from his wealthy father-in-law. Promising the henchmen a car and a share of the ransom money, Jerry believes he has everything planned out. However, his plan begins to crumble when the kidnappers, a volatile and talkative criminal named Carl Showalter and his silent, menacing partner Gaear Grimsrud, encounter unexpected complications. The situation quickly devolves, leading to a series of violent and unforeseen events.

As the chaos unfolds, a resourceful and pregnant police chief, Marge Gunderson, starts investigating a roadside homicide that appears to be linked to the kidnapping. Her down-to-earth approach and diligent police work lead her closer to uncovering the truth behind the criminal activities. While she pieces together the evidence, the initial plot spirals out of control, affecting the lives of all involved. The stark winter setting amplifies the tension and isolation experienced by the characters, as their actions set off a chain of events that none of them could have predicted.