This film concerns Mexicans living in present day south Texas. A hard-working man with a good job brings his bride from México and tries to satisfy her every desire, but this interferes with his job and puts him in debt. She loses interest in him, and begins to flirt with his younger and better looking brother--with fatal results. The story is re-telling of a well-known Mexican folk song, "Prisoner Number Nine" that was made popular in the 1960's by Joan Baez.

The lyrics of the song describe prisoner #9, who will be executed in the following morning, as he confesses to the prison priest he says, 'Yes, father, I killed them. I know the Supreme Being will judge us, but I'm not afraid of eternity." The lyrics continue, "He was a good man ("hombre muy cabal"), going home late one night, when he found his wife in the arms of another." And the prisoner continues, "I'll follow them even there, and If I'm born again, I'll kill them again!'" (y si vuelvo a nacer, ¡yo los vulvo a matar!)