Gooding plays Michael Dixon, a one-time Los Angeles gang member who escapes his neighborhood to become a respected U.S. border patrol officer in New Mexico. But his peaceful life with his wife and daughter is threatened when a chance encounter leads the gang's psychotic leader, Drake (Hardwick), to his door, forcing Dixon to take extreme measures to protect his family.

Ross plays Dixon's nephew Little Boy, who sought out Drake as a surrogate father when Dixon disappeared and finds himself in the middle of their conflict. Sharon Leal plays Dixon's wife.