The story begins with Marianne and Johan being interviewed by a reporter from a magazine. They're being interviewed about love as they've just hit their 10th wedding anniversary. But, Johan and Marianne tell about how great their marriage is in regards to the security, and order, contentment and loyalty they have. They don't mention love, except for when Marianne reveals that they didn't get married for love but because they were both unhappy. The picture transitions to a dinner with their friends, Katarina and Peter at their home. Peter begins to reveal to them the problems that they are having in their marriage. Which Katarina feels betrayed that he would say anything to them. Peter continues to dig into Katarina throughout the night until she throws her drink on him and he breaks down and weeps. Marianne and Johan believe that they could never be like them.
Later, Marianne attempts to cancel Sunday dinner with her parents, but is guilted into continuing to keep the plan. Marianne wants to drive together to work so they can drive back after seeing and Ibsen play that night. He begins to make a call and decides against it. Johan, at work is told by a female co-worker that his poetry is mediocre. This is work he hasn't shown to Marianne. We then see how Marianne and Johan don't engage in sex, and suffer from a lack of physical intimacy.
This leads to Johan revealing that he has been having an affair with a younger woman, Paula. Johan decides to leave home for 7-8 months on leave from work. Marianne then finds out from a friend that many people knew Johan was having an affair and said nothing to her. Johan then intends to take a position at Cleveland University to which Marianne recommends they should finalize their divorce. She hints that she has someone else in her life that she wants to marry. When they meet to finalize the divorce paperwork it turns violent. Johan slaps Marianne violently making her bleed. Shocked by what he has done he signs the divorce papers.
We are fast-forwarded to Johan and Marianne meeting in order to have a weekend affair after both have remarried other people. Marianne reveals to Johan that she had an affair early on in their marriage and opens up about her finding enjoyment in sex with her new husband who has now begun cheating on her. Johan asks her not to talk of him anymore. Marianne then awakens from a nightmare feeling cold while burning up at the same time. She is terrified at the fact that she believes she has never been loved. Johan does his best to comfort her as they say goodnight and the camera fades out.
