As a seasoned detective with the New York City Police Department, Vincent LaMarca (Robert De Niro) carries the heavy burden of his haunting past. His father's notorious legacy looms large over him, a man who faced execution for murder when Vincent was only eight years old. This tragedy, rooted in a heartbreaking kidnapping gone awry, has left scars that motivate Vincent’s quest for redemption. Though he once called Long Beach home, he now immerses himself in the hustle and bustle of New York City.
On the West Coast, Vincent's son, Joey LaMarca (James Franco), finds himself ensnared in a bleak cycle of homelessness and substance addiction. Their last encounter was a painful 14 years ago when Vincent chose a life of isolation over family, leaving behind Joey and his mother. He has since conveyed to his current partner, Michelle (Frances McDormand), that he is without children.
However, destiny takes a twisted turn when Joey is inexorably drawn into a deadly drug-related incident back in Long Beach. Vincent's hesitation to intervene is compounded by the shame of his father's past actions, which he feels are mirrored in Joey's struggles. Michelle is left perplexed by Vincent’s reluctance to act.
Amidst this turmoil, Joey’s partner, Gina (Eliza Dushku), is battling to maintain her sobriety for the sake of their young son, Angelo, a child Joey has fathered. Out of desperation, Gina turns to Vincent for help, urging him to step in for Joey. In a heart-wrenching moment, she leaves Angelo in Vincent’s care, forcing him into the unexpected role of a caregiver.
Vincent’s loyal partner, Reg (George Dzundza), sympathizes with his plight and commits to clearing Joey's name. A lead sends them to a decrepit casino in Long Beach, rumored to be a hideout for Joey. Unfortunately, tragedy strikes during their search when Reg falls victim to a violent attack by a merciless local drug dealer, Spyder (William Forsythe).
With Reg’s death, the police are convinced Joey is responsible for not only Reg's murder but also another killing. A nationwide manhunt is instigated, branding Joey as an "armed and dangerous cop-killer." As the tension escalates, Vincent’s role as a father becomes more pronounced, pushing him to take radical steps to mend their fractured relationship. The stakes rise as he reflects on the implications of raising a child motherless and fatherless, motivating him to re-enter Joey's life and break the cycle of neglect and abandonment that he himself endured.
The journey becomes even more complex as Vincent unearths crucial evidence tying Spyder to Reg's death, leading to a climactic, confrontational finale. A shootout ensues as Vincent confronts Spyder at gunpoint, only for Joey to arrive and act in self-defense, taking down Spyder. Yet, suspicion lingers between father and son, with Joey doubting Vincent’s intentions, fearing his father’s desire to capture him outweighs any genuine attempt to reconnect.
In a pivotal moment, Vincent ultimately manages to demonstrate his sincerity to Joey just as additional police forces encroach upon them. He places himself in between his son and the advancing officers, asserting that any effort to apprehend Joey would necessitate shooting him first.
Ultimately, authorities take Joey into custody without any violence, and as father and son share a fleeting yet poignant moment of understanding, they part ways once again, leaving the weight of unresolved emotions hanging in the air.
