The Setup and Mutual Traps: Dan prepares to chloroform Lisa, drag her body to his boat, weigh her down with rocks, and drown her in the lake, having established an alibi that she went hiking alone. Simultaneously, Lisa planned to shoot Dan with a rifle in a staged hunting accident, having told friends Dan went hunting alone.
The Domestic Standoff: When Dan strikes, Lisa defends herself with a taser, incapacitating and tying Dan to a chair. As they confront each other, secrets spill out: Dan's jealousy over Lisa's affair with a play co-star, Lisa's rage over Dan squandering their savings on his failed film, and both admitting they desperately need the life insurance money.
The Intrusion: During a physical struggle over a shotgun, a blast fires into the ceiling, bringing three escaped fugitives—Pete (Timothy Olyphant), Todd (Keith Jardine), and corrupt guard Allegra (Juliette Lewis)—crashing down from the attic where they were hiding.
The Hostage Situation: The fugitives tie up the couple. Pete discovers Dan’s old movie poster and reveals he saw the film in prison, starting a debate with Dan over the studio altering its ending. When Todd threatens Dan, Pete halts him. Allegra prepares to execute them until Lisa lies that she has $50,000 saved in a bank account to buy time.
The Climax & Lake Battle: Dan and Lisa escape their restraints, resulting in a gory battle across the cabin grounds featuring improvised weapons, severed fingers, and shotgun blasts. Together, the couple brutally kills Allegra, Todd, and Pete.
The Resolution: During the final struggle on the lake, Dan is knocked into the freezing water. Choosing love over murder, Lisa pulls Dan back into the boat. Covered in blood and exhausted, the couple sits together on the water, choosing to forgive each other and rebuild their marriage.