In Utica, New York, the story unfolds around a garbage truck driver known only as Clean, portrayed by Adrien Brody, who scrapes by in a declining urban neighborhood rife with crime. As he performs his job collecting waste, Clean takes the initiative to salvage usable parts from the trash, repurposing them to sell at a thrift shop belonging to an acquaintance. Haunted by the tragic loss of his daughter and burdened by past transgressions, Clean leads a solitary existence in a workshop, tormented by memories of her untimely death.
One day, Clean prepares a meal for his neighbor, a teenager named Dianda, played by Chandler DuPont, who lives with her grandmother, Ethel, represented by Michelle Wilson. Meanwhile, a man named Michael, whom Glenn Fleshler plays, eagerly awaits the release of his son, Mikey. Yet, instead of meeting his son, Mikey departs with his friends, frustrating Michael. In a different setting, while cleaning near a seafood restaurant owned by Michael, Clean unwittingly observes a sinister drug deal involving Michael and his armed associates, smuggling drugs hidden within fish from China.
The following morning, Clean learns from Dianda that her school bus service has been cut, prompting him to offer her a ride. He later leaves a bike at her house that once belonged to his daughter, stirring curiosity in Ethel. Clean, still grappling with guilt, explains that his intentions stem from a need to alleviate his own suffering. However, Ethel reassures him, calling him a nice guy, a label he firmly rejects.
Back at Michael’s restaurant, tension escalates as Michael brutally confronts one of his business partners over a cocaine shortage. The horrifying scene leaves Mikey shocked and silent. Later, whilst disposing of trash, Clean inadvertently discovers evidence of the murder in a trash container. Michael approaches Clean, attempting to offer money for his troubles, but Clean declines.
Subsequently, Clean's vehicle malfunctions in a dangerous neighborhood, and while investigating, he witnesses a man being chased by thugs. Following them leads to an altercation where Clean is knocked out. He awakens in a hospital but refuses to take prescribed medication, preferring to return home directly. On a day off, he spots Dianda mingling with a dubious group of thugs and urges her to return home, only to be met with her fierce opposition.
Tensions rise at Michael's home as he berates Mikey for ignoring his responsibilities in their drug operation, ultimately leading to Mikey's defiance. As Clean seeks to repair an abandoned building, he inadvertently stumbles upon Dianda being mistreated by thugs. In a fierce confrontation, Clean fights back, employing a pipe wrench to rescue her and escort her home.
In the following days, a series of events spiral out of control as Michael, realizing Clean’s identity, orders a corrupt officer named Frank to dispose of Dianda and her grandmother. Clean plans to leave town with them, but their getaway hits a snag upon encountering Michael's goons. After an intense chase and daring escape maneuvers, Clean engages in a fierce battle against Michael’s men in a diner and motel, leading to a chaotic showdown.
As Ethel expresses her frustration, blaming Clean for their predicament, he vows to set things right. Returning to his old neighborhood, he prepares for a final conflict with Michael, armed with his past skills as a professional assassin, known as "The Grim Reaper." Clean crashes his garbage truck into Michael’s residence, resulting in a spectacular confrontation where he eliminates Michael’s henchmen with ease.
When Clean and Michael confront each other, the tables turn during their fight. Just as Clean seems victorious, Mikey confronts his father and, in a shocking twist, turns the gun on him. After Mikey's betrayal, he attempts to shoot Clean only to find himself out of ammunition.
In the aftermath, Dianda’s neighborhood transforms as the criminal presence wanes, allowing children to play freely once again. In a moment of hope, Dianda rides her bike down the street, spotting a garbage truck on its route, a sign of Clean's enduring impact in the community.
