Frank Penny, portrayed by Aaron Eckhart, is an ex-cop desperate for redemption after tragically killing a child abductor. This abductor had taken the only child of a police officer, Volk, who was deeply involved in the operation to capture him. After a botched ransom attempt, the abductor is confronted by Frank during a routine patrol, resulting in the abductor's demise. When the abductor's brother sends a chilling live feed showing Volk's daughter, Claudia, trapped in a glass cage submerged in water with a countdown clock, everything escalates. Volk, unwilling to accept any further assistance from Frank, distances himself.
Enter Ava Brooks, played by Courtney Eaton, a dedicated vlogger committed to delivering "real" news. She seizes the opportunity to break the story of the kidnapping, igniting public interest. With the life of an 11-year-old girl at stake, Frank takes matters into his own hands, going rogue in his quest to save her. He recruits Ava, whose live-streaming platform broadcasts his every move, turning their pursuit into a spectacle for the city. As Frank and Ava race against time, they encounter numerous challenges and face the wrath of the abductor's vengeful brother.
Meanwhile, Ruth Carter, played by Dina Meyer, oversees the news coverage and despises Ava's success in securing vital information that could improve her ratings. Ruth employs Maya Prinz, portrayed by Betsy Landin, to assist her in the field and strategically decides to air Ava’s live broadcast on her network TV.
Frank discovers the kidnapper's vehicle but is pursued by Ava, who he convinces to aid him in locating the remaining accomplice. Their investigation leads them to the home of brothers Max and Dean Keller, with Frank having already taken down Max. Unfortunately, Dean remains at large with Claudia in his grasp.
After finding the brothers' registered residence, Frank is ambushed by Dean. In a tense encounter, he opts to distract Dean so that Ava can broadcast his location for Volk’s intervention. After a gripping sequence, Frank manages to rescue Ava, but they soon speculate about Claudia's true whereabouts, realizing they may not have the right address.
Just when they think they have a lead, Dean manages to slip away while being transported for medical attention. Ruth then tips Ava off with another possible location, leading them to a haunting photograph of Max and Dean’s sister, Naomi, who perished in a meth lab explosion related to the brothers. This tragic link reveals a police delay during the initial incident, directly involving Volk.
As Frank and Ava race to the newfound location, they discover it is laced with explosives. A tense standoff occurs when Dean arrives in a stolen emergency vehicle, forcing Frank and Ava to trigger the explosives, which ultimately results in Dean's demise. In his final moments, Dean cryptically hints that Claudia lies buried six feet under.
Remembering a cemetery's woodwork he saw earlier, Frank deduces where Claudia is likely hidden. When they arrive at the cemetery, they find Claudia buried deep underground. A miraculous turn of events occurs as a large group gathers, responding to Ava's live stream, and they help Frank rescue her just in time. His heroic effort culminates in delivering Claudia back to safety, turning a desperate situation into a victorious reunion.
