 Mel Gibson plays super-bad guy, Porter, who is so despicable that he would steal a pan-handler s money and take a waitress  tip. He is quickly shown to keep even worst company though as his friend (Gregg Henry) and junkie wife join together to kill him after a robbery from an Oriental gang. Nonetheless, he recovers after being gunned in the back by his wife. He then sets out for revenge against his "friend", who used the money to buy his way into the "Syndicate". This means he also has to to take on the Syndicate bosses which include, in line, William DeVane, James Coburn, and Kris Kristofferson. Meanwhile, crooked cops also come after him trying to get their share of what they believe is a big load of money related to drugs, the Oriental gang seeks revenge against the robbers, and a crooked little middle man tries to get his own piece.