Howard Tyler is an unemployed family man struggling to make ends meet in a small Californian town. Desperate for work, he becomes friends with Jerry Slocum, a charismatic but unscrupulous small-time crook. Jerry convinces Howard to join him in a series of robberies, promising fast cash and a quick way out of their financial troubles. Although hesitant at first, Howard succumbs to the lure of easy money. Their criminal activities soon escalate from petty theft to more serious crimes, leading Howard down a dangerous path that he can't easily escape.

As they continue their spree, the local newspapers sensationalize the crimes, whipping the community into a frenzy and demanding justice. A relentless journalist named Gil Stanton begins investigating, uncovering dark secrets and stoking public outrage. The escalating tension results in social repercussions that affect everyone involved. Howard's initial quest for financial stability thus spirals into a nightmarish scenario filled with moral dilemmas and tragic consequences, setting the stage for a gripping climax.