Strike is a young drug dealer, or "clocker", working under the watchful eye of drug lord Rodney Little in a Brooklyn housing project. When a fellow dealer is found dead, Strike becomes the prime suspect. Detectives Rocco Klein and Larry Mazilli are assigned to the case, with Rocco taking a particular interest in Strike. Rocco's lines of questioning reveal a complex web of lies and relationships within the community that complicates determining the true circumstances of the murder. Meanwhile, Strike's brother Victor, a hardworking family man, also draws attention as he implies self-defense in the case.

As tensions rise within the community, Strike grapples with the pressures from both the police and his employer. Rodney manipulates Strike's precarious situation for his own benefit. Additionally, Rocco's determination to uncover the truth puts him at odds with both the corrupt elements within law enforcement and the local crime networks. Through flashbacks and various perspectives, the film explores themes of guilt, loyalty, and survival in an environment riddled with moral ambiguity.