Marginal Hollywood actor Jack Baylor ends an affair with the wife of his best friend, Tory, and knowing Torys anger-management issues, he retreats to the California desert town of Twentynine Palms to let the metaphorical dust settle. There he promptly begins an affair with Mona, a young mother of two. But Tory arrives in the town bent on revenge, Mona and her kids disappear, and Jacks motel room is awash with blood. Jack is promptly arrested and must escape to clear himself.