Already taking a gamble settling in the uncharted west, the peaceful settlers of a town destined for railroad greatness suddenly find themselves being ruthlessly gunned down. With no law and order to be found, justice falls onto the shoulders of an elderly rancher and an accomplished, but retired, gunslinger.

迪恩（威尔 史密斯 饰）是一个家庭生活和美、前途一片光明的黑人执业律师。圣诞节前夕，迪恩遇到了一位久未谋面的朋友。从此，迪恩的生活发生了天翻地覆的变化。 　　原来这位友人将一张记录了某个位高权重的人谋杀国会议员整个过程的光盘放进了迪恩的袋子！可怜的迪恩在毫不知情的情况下，被NSA中的害群之马严密监视，并被施加了各种各样的压力，甚至无端遭到了谋杀前女友雷切尔的起诉。 　　迪恩迫于无奈之下，只得只身展开了逃亡、追查幕后真凶之路。

故事讲述一位前科犯人（杰克·莱诺 饰），被迫要跟被收养的兄弟一起逃亡，全然因为他们被一位报复心极强的罪犯（詹姆斯·弗兰科 饰）追捕。而兄弟俩保护自己的方式，就是找到神秘武器。

Inspired by real events, BAD COUNTRY is a gritty Louisiana set crime drama. Detective Bud Carter"s investigations lead to the arrest of Jesse Weiland, a contract killer from a criminal syndicate. Weiland, facing life in prison and losing his family, puts his trust in Carter and becomes an informant. The case attracts the FBI, who in turn, wrestles control from Carter. When a sting goes bad, the syndicate boss, Lutin Adams uses crooked politicians and lawyers to identify Weiland as the "rat." His family is executed, setting Weiland on a path of revenge executing targets on a manhunt for Lutin. Carter takes control, pursuing the syndicate to the French Quarter. The climax explodes as Carter, Weiland and Lutin are caught in a triangular crossfire.

故事改编自杰夫·伯曼的同名纪实回忆录，讲述当年他在终点等待参赛的女友时，不幸遭遇炸弹袭击，失去双腿，并重新生活的个人经历。