Bob Muldoon (Casey Affleck) and Ruth Guthrie (Rooney Mara) are a young couple who live a life of crime in 1970s Texas. They rob banks and stores together, all while fiercely protecting each other. During one of their heists, Ruth shoots a police officer, and the couple is apprehended. Bob takes the blame and is sentenced to 25 years in prison.
During Bob's incarceration, Ruth gives birth to their daughter, Sylvie, and raises her with the help of their friend and accomplice, Skerritt (Keith Carradine). Ruth is haunted by the memory of shooting the officer and struggles to cope with her guilt and the responsibility of raising a child alone.
Four years later, Bob escapes from prison and begins his journey back to Ruth and Sylvie. He spends his days traveling on foot, hitchhiking, and occasionally stealing cars and money. Meanwhile, Ruth has moved on with her life and is involved with a local sheriff, Patrick Wheeler (Ben Foster).
As Bob gets closer to Ruth, he realizes that she has changed and that they may not be able to pick up where they left off. But Bob is determined to be with his family and will stop at nothing to reunite with Ruth and Sylvie.
Ain't Them Bodies Saints is a poetic and atmospheric Western with stunning cinematography and a haunting soundtrack. The film explores themes of love, loss, and redemption as it tells the story of two outlaws trying to find their way back to each other.