In a gritty neighborhood, two childhood friends, Rocky Sullivan and Jerry Connolly, tread the line between morality and crime. Growing up in poverty, the duo finds themselves entangled in juvenile delinquency, leading to a fateful encounter with the law. Rocky, unable to outrun the police, is sent to reform school while Jerry escapes. Their paths diverge as they grow older; Rocky becomes a notorious gangster, while Jerry chooses a life of righteousness, becoming a priest. Despite their different lives, a bond remains, and they reconnect when Rocky returns to their old neighborhood after serving time in prison. Jerry has dedicated himself to keeping the local kids away from a life of crime, but Rocky’s return introduces temptation to their world.

Rocky finds himself embroiled in a power struggle with corrupt lawyer Jim Frazier, while also facing the gangsters he once allied with. The neighborhood kids, fascinated by Rocky’s criminal exploits and charisma, idolize him, much to Father Jerry’s dismay. As Jerry struggles to steer the boys away from crime, Rocky basks in their admiration, finding a sense of belonging and redemption in their adulation despite his misdeeds. Tensions rise as Jerry and Rocky confront each other over their influence on the youths, leading Rocky to make choices that ultimately force him to reevaluate his life and his impact on those around him. Both men are compelled to confront the consequences of their past actions as they seek to control their destinies within the community they once called home.