In a quaint, snow-covered New England town, an intrigued stranger finds himself eager to uncover the mystery surrounding a local named Ethan Frome, whose life took a tragic turn two decades prior. The stranger's inquiries about Ethan's calamitous past only yield vague responses, until a brutal snowstorm leads him to spend a night at Ethan's home, where he learns the haunting tale.

The narrative took place twenty years ago, with Ethan making his way through the snowy town to a local church dance. He watches from outside, mesmerized by a young girl wearing a cherry scarf. This girl is Mattie Silver, Ethan's wife's cousin, who has been living with them and assisting with household duties. Ethan is besotted with Mattie, a fact that becomes apparent during their walk home from the church. The tension between them is palpable, but it dissolves upon their arrival home to Zeena, Ethan's sickly and suspicious wife. The next day, Ethan is thrilled to find out that his wife is going away for a night to seek medical treatment. However, despite his yearning for Mattie, he is unable to express his feelings, and they spend the night without acknowledging their mutual attraction.

Upon Zeena's return, she shares the bleak news about her worsening health and her decision to hire a new, more capable girl to replace Mattie. Despite his resentment, Ethan doesn't voice his disagreement. Overcome by his feelings, he steals a kiss from Mattie, who he informs about Zeena's plan to send her away. Their intimate moment is interrupted by Zeena, who has discovered a broken dish and becomes even more determined to remove Mattie from the house. As Ethan grapples with the possibility of losing Mattie, he thinks of eloping with her but soon realizes the futility of it due to his strained financial condition. The following day, despite his guilt, Ethan plans to bring Mattie to the station himself, taking a detour for one last adventure together. They go sledding and, on Mattie's heartbreaking suggestion, they crash into a tree, hoping to die together.

Two decades later, the stranger finds Ethan living with a paralyzed Mattie and the ailing Zeena, stuck in a never-ending cycle of regret and despair. Back in town, the stranger recounts his disturbing experience at the Frome household to his landlady, and they commiserate over the pitiful fate of Ethan and the two women bound to him through the harsh New England winters.