In the drug-infested Watts neighborhood of Los Angeles, a young African-American man named Caine Lawson struggles to rise above the violence and despair of his surrounding environment. Having lost his parents to drugs and violence, Caine is raised by his religious grandparents, but the pull of the street life is strong. His life is a cycle of attending parties, selling drugs, and circumstantial violence, despite his inherent intelligence and his grandmother’s efforts to guide him on a righteous path. Caine's friends, including O-Dog, a trigger-happy teenager with little regard for human life, draw him deeper into the lifestyle that has already claimed so many in their community.

Caine's life takes a turn when he befriends a girl named Ronnie and grows close to her and her young son. In search of a fresh start and inspired by the possibility of a better life, Caine contemplates leaving Watts behind. However, the consequences of his previous actions and affiliations make escaping the life he's known all the more difficult. As he navigates complicated relationships with his friends, law enforcement, and potential mentors, Caine is faced with a series of choices that could either lead to his salvation or his demise. His struggle reflects the harsh realities of growing up in a society where options seem limited and where each decision can be a matter of life or death.