Sonny Hooper is a well-respected and highly compensated Hollywood stuntman whose career is filled with exhilarating highs and perilous lows. During the production of a lavish spy film, which parodies the iconic James Bond series, Sonny is given increasingly dangerous stunts to perform that place him in ever-growing peril. His devoted girlfriend, Gwen, is burdened with constant worry about his reckless choices, especially considering Sonny has already undergone spinal surgery due to the toll that years of hard-hitting stunts have taken on his body. Though his best friend, Cully, advises Sonny to take a step back from his dangerous lifestyle, Sonny finds himself addicted to the exhilarating rush of his work. Despite enduring significant pain, relying heavily on painkillers, and even receiving numerous anesthetic injections, Sonny is prepared to face the threat of potential paralysis for the sake of adrenaline.
During a charity event, Sonny encounters a young, ambitious stuntman named Delmore Shidski, also known as Ski, who impresses everyone by leaping from a helicopter and parachuting effortlessly into a large airbag. Sonny, along with Cully, admires Ski's daring attitude but cannot escape a twinge of envy for the younger man's vitality and fitness. When Ski is set to compete against an old-timer named Hammerhead in a Roman chariot race, Sonny intervenes, convincing Cully to let him take the reins instead, as Cully had planned to dress authentically for the role. The race takes a dramatic turn when Ski's chariot falls apart, leading to a chaotic, hair-raising moment where Sonny braves the situation to prevent serious injury. In a show of petty rivalry, Sonny directs his horse, Dancer, to relieve himself on Ski's car as both a victory chant and a sign of dominance.
Later, at the famous Palomino Club, the group finds themselves embroiled in a chaotic clash with a group of SWAT officers in town for a convention. Jocko, Gwen's father and a former stuntman himself, makes enough noise to stir the officers' ire, resulting in a physical skirmish. Sonny's bravado culminates in him smashing the jukebox with his motorcycle helmet, escalating tensions further. The ensuing brawl sees Ski jumping into the fray to back Sonny, showcasing newfound camaraderie. However, all involved are eventually ejected by the club's bouncers. After the ruckus, the party continues at Sonny’s house, where Ski's admiration for Sonny shines through as they watch footage of Sonny’s thrilling career. Yet, as they indulge in nostalgia, Jocko questions Sonny about his hesitation to marry Gwen, making Sonny defensive and contemplative.
After pulling off a breathtaking helicopter jump, Sonny privately confides in Cully, asking him to schedule an appointment with his doctor. The orthopedist's stern warning rings clearly in Sonny’s ears: one severe impact could leave him a quadriplegic. This grim news only deepens the bond between Sonny and the adventurous Ski, as Sonny appreciates the fresh perspective Ski brings to their current project and earns the respect of the demanding director, Roger. However, creative tensions rise when Roger's overbearing attitude causes friction with the film's writer, leading to a walkout and a hasty rewrite of the movie's climactic finale involving a destructed industrial town.
With the new concept, Sonny and Ski dream up an audacious stunt that involves leaping across a gap of 325 feet in a modified 1978 Firebird equipped with a jet engine after a bridge demolition. While they know they can attempt the jump, the stakes are tremendously high, and their safety hangs in the balance. When the producer agrees to their compensation of $50,000 apiece, excitement fills the air. However, misfortune strikes as budgeting constraints lead to Cully being ousted from the film crew. After a drunken night at Sonny’s, Cully inadvertently spills the beans about the perilous stunt to Gwen, triggering a worried and anguished reaction where she declares she will leave Sonny if he proceeds.
On the monumental shooting day as explosions and demolitions electrify the atmosphere, Sonny and Ski tear down the makeshift track in their Firebird, with Sonny monitoring the jet engine's instruments while Ski takes the wheel. As they approach the gap, Sonny realizes the fuel pressure required for a safe jump is dangerously low. Faced with the gravity of the situation, Ski urges caution, yet Sonny convinces him that they must go through with the jump to claim their payment. The duo accelerates toward the chasm, hits the ignition, and soars across the ravine, crashing with a spectacular thud on the far side. Briefly stunned, both men manage to gather themselves, prompting Gwen to rush toward Sonny, who assures her with a warm smile that he has survived yet another death-defying stunt.
Amid sincerities and a newfound understanding, Roger approaches to commend their daring feat but falls victim to Sonny's impatience, receiving a punch that instantly downs him. As the thrill of success fades, the film concludes with Sonny's triumphant grin, encapsulating a life defined by risk, friendship, and the unyielding pursuit of the next heart-pounding adventure.
