Recruited by the R.I.P.D., a returned sheriff embarks on a perilous mission to safeguard humanity from a hellish gateway that threatens existence itself.
The film commences with a haunting scene featuring Otis Clairborne, who, in his relentless pursuit of treasure, inadvertently opens a gateway to hell, leading to his possession by a sinister entity. This harrowing act sets into motion a chain of events that will forever alter the course of his life and the lives of others.
Fast forward a few months, and we find Sheriff Roy Pulsipher tragically slain by a gang led by none other than Clairborne. As is customary in this unconventional narrative, Roy's ascent to the afterlife is interrupted when he finds himself within the bustling office of the Rest In Peace Department (R.I.P.D.). Here, he meticulously examines various otherworldly weapons before solidifying his commitment to this afterlife agency by shaking hands with the office manager, Hano. Driven by a fierce desire to combat the Deados, he is swiftly dispatched back to Earth, though his re-entry is as chaotic as one might expect, landing him in an outhouse besieged by buffalo. It is here that he meets his formidable partner, Jeanne d'Arc.
With a conviction that one of the wrongdoers remains alive, stirring suspicions of the Deados, Roy, alongside Jeanne, boldly intercepts a prison transport harboring three captured criminals. Through cunning diversion tactics, they manage to unmask one of the imprisoned—identified as a Deado due to the distinctive burn marking his upper body—and execute a swift and decisive action. Jeanne demonstrates her prowess by deploying holy water alongside her sword, eliminating the threat. Just as Roy is overpowered by another criminal, Jeanne's quick thinking comes to the rescue, leading to the capture of another prisoner, Slim Samuels, who holds vital information regarding Clairborne's wicked ambitions.
The duo then arrives at a desolate town, checking into a hotel where the trepidations begin to escalate. The hotel owner, the dubious Mayor Julius Butterfield, is understandably reluctant to accommodate them, exacerbating the tense atmosphere. It becomes apparent that he and hotel staff member Beverly are afflicted with a chronic cough, attributed to noxious gases emanating from a nearby mine. As events unfold, Roy and Jeanne cleverly tie up Slim and venture toward the mine, only to be met with betrayal from Butterfield, who has mistakenly underestimated their resolve.
Imprisoned in the very mine they sought to investigate, Roy encounters Angus, the fiancé of his daughter, Charlotte Pulsipher. The narrative reveals Clairborne's nefarious plan to utilize the prisoners to open the hellish gateway, a feat the Deados cannot accomplish alone.
Amid this web of deception, Beverly surprises everyone by liberating Slim, clearing him of the wrongful accusations concerning Roy's demise. Slim, in a twist of fate, frees Roy, Jeanne, and Angus from captivity. With fierce determination, Jeanne musters her courage, leaping over the open gateway to hell, and utilizes a drop of Jesus' tears—an artifact she safeguarded through centuries—to seal this dreadful rift. Facing the penultimate challenge, Roy discovers the miraculous tears and imbues his bullets with their holy essence before confronting the creature which has taken control of Clairborne.
In a dramatic culmination, Roy's efforts lead to the downfall of this monstrous entity, restoring balance in a world teetering on the edge of chaos. Subsequently, Slim and Beverly are duly appointed as sheriff and deputy, leading to the arrest of Mayor Butterfield for his role in Roy's murder. The narrative concludes with Roy celebrating his daughter’s wedding to Angus while harboring unspoken feelings for Jeanne, the complexities of their bond underscored by his contractual obligations to the R.I.P.D. This poignant farewell leaves audiences reflecting on themes of duty, sacrifice, and the enduring connections that transcend even the boundaries of life and death.
