The film opens in a cozy diner located in Cleveland, Ohio, where a lawyer named Queen (portrayed by Jodie Turner-Smith) shares a meal with her Tinder date, Slim (played by Daniel Kaluuya). Queen, feeling the weight of solitude, chooses to accompany Slim, who exhibits a more relaxed demeanor compared to her cynical outlook. During dinner, she reveals her distress over a client's death sentence, which she believes is unjust. Slim, curious about their connection, asks why she chose him, and she candidly admits it was his "sad" photo that caught her eye.
As Slim drives Queen home in an attempt to prolong their evening, he inadvertently swerves, attracting the attention of a racist officer named Officer Reed (portrayed by Sturgill Simpson). The situation escalates when Reed orders Slim out of the car and begins inspecting it, much to Queen's confusion. Reed grows increasingly agitated, and when Slim urges him to expedite the search due to the cold, the officer brandishes his weapon. In a desperate attempt to avert disaster, Queen exits the vehicle to record the incident, but Reed fires at her, grazing her leg. Slim, in a fit of panic, tackles Reed, resulting in a fierce struggle where Slim seizes the gun and fatally shoots the officer. In that moment of shock and fear, Queen urges Slim that they must flee without delay.
Thus begins their harrowing flight, marked by the destruction of their phones to evade tracking. They find a pickup truck and flag down a driver, Edgar (played by Benito Martinez), who offers them assistance when Queen claims they need fuel. Slim soon realizes with dread that Edgar is a sheriff, and as they pull into a gas station, the driver receives a radio call regarding Reed's death and a description of the suspects, leaving the couple in danger. In a tense confrontation, Queen and Slim force Edgar into submission at gunpoint, compelling him to drive them back to their vehicle and subsequently locking him in the trunk to prevent him from notifying the authorities.
Continuing their troubled journey, they stop to eat and enlist a young boy to buy food from Edgar's glove compartment. However, after the meal, the boy returns with a viral video of Reed's dash-cam footage that depicts the tragic events. Slim's next move inadvertently injures the boy's father during a hasty getaway, but after their compassionate assistance, the father praises the couple, erroneously perceiving their actions as heroic justice against Reed, who had a history of violence against unarmed black individuals.
Their escapade continues, leading them to a gas station where Slim, nervous and armed, makes a tense transaction with the clerk. With a plan for refuge, Queen reaches out to her estranged uncle, Earl (portrayed by Bokeem Woodbine), who reluctantly agrees to assist them. Earl advises that they must alter their appearances to evade capture, revealing that Queen has helped him evade prison time for an incident involving her mother. Just as the trio attempts to focus on their next steps, police arrive at Earl's place, escalating their sense of urgency to escape before being caught.
As the night unfolds and Slim drives while Queen tries to catch some rest, they engage in deep conversations about their lives and future. Parked outside a nightclub, they venture inside, taking a risk by dancing and enjoying their freedom, while aware of the danger lurking outside.
A series of unfortunate events ensue, including a car breakdown that leads to an encounter with a mechanic whose beliefs clash with the prevailing narrative surrounding Reed's death. Junior, the mechanic's son, idolizes their status and engages with them about the charged atmosphere of police brutality. Slim reaches out to his father for a final conversation, revealing the story's intricate dynamics.
In a poignant detour, Queen visits her mother's grave and reveals painful memories of loss and betrayal, which draws Slim closer to her. They share an intimate moment in a secluded area as the police intensify their search for the duo, culminating in violent reactions from those around them, including a tragic incident involving Junior.
As Queen and Slim find sanctuary with a compassionate couple, the Shepherds (Flea and Chloë Sevigny), they savor a brief respite. However, the fragile peace is shattered when law enforcement closes in. With no option but to hide and hope for dawn, they are eventually forced to flee through the chaos of police pursuit.
Their journey leads them to a point of no return, where they grasp at hope—hoping for freedom and legacy. Yet, in a heartrending twist, Queen is shot fatally, with Slim succumbing next to her in a desperate bid for connection. The media spins their story, painting them as dangerous criminals, while communities mourn their loss, turning their tragic tale into a symbol of defiance and the fight for justice. Crowds gather to honor their memory, forever marking Queen and Slim as martyrs in a struggle that resonates deeply in the hearts of many.
