In a dystopian future, Los Angeles is overrun by crime, prompting the police to pursue Simon Phoenix, a violent criminal. During his capture, both Phoenix and police sergeant John Spartan are sentenced to cryogenic imprisonment. Decades later, Phoenix is thawed for a parole hearing in 2032 and escapes, finding himself in a utopian society where crime is virtually nonexistent. Unprepared for his violent methods, the authorities decide to revive Spartan, nicknamed the “Demolition Man,” to capture Phoenix once again.

Spartan, who struggles to adapt to the new pacifist society, teams up with Lieutenant Lenina Huxley to stop Phoenix. The peaceful society is ill-equipped to handle such a ruthless criminal, leading to chaos. Spartan's unorthodox policing methods clash with the futuristic norms, but his resolve remains unchanged: he must bring Phoenix to justice. The cat-and-mouse chase leads to explosive confrontations, as the bygone era’s brute strength faces off against the pacified future’s naïveté. As Phoenix's rampage threatens to undo the calm society, Spartan’s relentless pursuit becomes the last line of defense.