Driven away by dysfunction and repressed memories of child abuse at the hands of her father, recovering alcoholic Agnes (Molly Parker) returns home to Sydney, Nova Scotia, upon news that her ill mother, Rose (Marguerite McNeil), is expected to die soon. At home, the damaged Agnes joins her two equally scarred sisters, Theresa (Rebecca Jenkins) and Louise (Stacy Smith), in the caretaking responsibilities of their mother, a reunion that begins the process of emotional healing for the four women.