Frank Cordell (Morgan Freeman) is an extremely dangerous paid assassin, with a black-list containing names such as the President of the United States. He is eventually caught and has to pay for all his crimes, but manages to escape from police custody taking Ray Keene (John Cusack) as his hostage. It is said that paid assassins have their own code of honour. Cordel is no exception and since when he was arrested, he was on a mission, he is bound to fulfil it. It looks like the only person that can stop him is Keene, and any mistake can be fatal.