Federal Agent Aaron Falk returns to his drought-stricken hometown in the Australian outback for the funeral of his childhood friend, Luke Hadler. Luke allegedly killed his family before committing suicide, and the town is quick to assume it was due to financial stress from the unrelenting dry spell. However, Luke's parents are unconvinced and plead with Aaron to investigate further. Aaron agrees, partly out of loyalty and partly to confront his own demons. He is haunted by the mysterious death of Ellie Deacon, a girl he was close with during his youth, whose life ended in this same small town. The community's suspicions and whispers persistently surround Aaron, as he was implicated in Ellie's death but never charged.

As Aaron delves into Luke's case, he uncovers secrets, tensions, and resentments that have simmered in the town for years. He revisits his old relationships and interactions with friends, some of whom seem eager to help while others wish to keep him at arm's length. The investigation leads Aaron to question everyone in Luke's circle and uncover more than he bargained for. The oppressive heat and barren landscape mirror the repressed emotions and memories within the town, forcing Aaron to confront uncomfortable truths about Ellie's death and his choices. As past events overlap with present investigations, Aaron is challenged to separate fact from rumor, all while dealing with the palpable hostility of a tight-knit community wary of his presence.