Real estate agent Maceda (played by Chris Sarandon) previously gave testimony against drug lord Orosco (portrayed by Miguel Najera). With Orosco now released from prison, Maceda finds himself in a precarious situation. Seeking refuge, he escapes to a nearly deserted inn in California’s Central Valley, where the innkeeper, Kat (Mariel Hemingway), welcomes him to register as a guest. However, his arrival piques the curiosity of the solitary police officer, Gilchrist (Dennis Hopper). At the same time, federal agent Gere (Peter Coyote) is determined to locate Maceda before Orosco’s henchmen catch up to him.