Two friends, Roy Collins and Gilbert Bowen, embark on a fishing trip that takes a deadly turn when they pick up a hitchhiker. The man they help, Emmett Myers, is an escaped convict and ruthless murderer. Myers forces the two men at gunpoint to drive him through Mexico, seeking refuge from authorities who are hot on his trail. The friends quickly realize that Myers has no intention of letting them go free once he reaches safety. Their journey becomes a harrowing battle for survival as they navigate desolate landscapes and grapple with the constant threat of death.

As they traverse the barren Mexican terrain, Roy and Gilbert make several attempts to escape or alert the authorities, but Myers always seems to stay one step ahead. Myers taunts them with his unpredictable and sadistic nature, making it clear that he enjoys their fear and desperation. Tensions rise as the captives are pushed to their physical and emotional limits. The suspense intensifies with each passing mile, leading to an inevitable confrontation that will test the resolve and ingenuity of both men.