Simon Zuniga, a member of the Papago tribe, begins his journey in a tumultuous manner when he is hit by Carroll Rennard, after she accidentally runs him over while he’s running down the road following his release from prison. Carroll, who works on the reservation, decides to give him a ride to the familiar and deeply meaningful place for him—their tribal land. As Simon rests, lying on his brother’s grave, he is haunted by vivid memories of the night his brother was shot. He recalls how Henry Burroughs, the man responsible for the shooting, managed to frame him for the murder, laying the foundation for his long-standing resentment and desire for justice.
Over time, Simon is told that he will assume the role of the tribal council’s head, a position of authority and responsibility within his community. During a public event, a traditional cultural performance—the "Dance of the 20 Virgins"—takes place, where young girls are brought out to perform. However, Simon, in a silent act of protest, stands and covers his eyes, causing the girls to feel embarrassed and retreat from the stage. Later, through overheard conversations, Simon learns that Henry Burroughs is still alive and has recovered from his past injuries. The realization fuels Simon’s thirst for revenge.
Determined to confront his past, Simon attempts to track down Henry, breaking into his old residence only to discover it’s now occupied by new renters. His attempt to take revenge results in his arrest, but Carroll quickly bails him out. She then drives him to Tucson and enlists the help of Cesar Rosetti(/actor/barney-phillips), a private detective, to find Henry. As their relationship deepens, Simon and Carroll’s bond becomes romantic, culminating in a party she hosts to introduce him to her friends. During the gathering, they ask Simon to perform a rain dance, but he modestly declines, saying he doesn't need the rain at that moment.
In an intimate moment, Carroll confides in a friend that she is pregnant with Simon’s child, adding a layer of hope amidst the revenge quest. Guided by Rosetti’s intelligence, Simon learns that Henry Burroughs has been moving from Albuquerque to Phoenix, adopting the alias Henry Bagley, and is now living nearby, fishing in the area. Finding the house where Henry resides, Simon waits until nightfall before sneaking inside, successfully tying Henry up and bringing him outside as dawn approaches. Showing a mixture of mercy and vengeance, Simon decides to cut Henry loose, placing a dagger in the ground as a symbolic gesture that he might kill Henry later. Henry, however, seizes the dagger first, leading to a fierce struggle. Simon manages to wrestle the knife away and fatally stabs Henry in the stomach, but his act of revenge is short-lived as he is shot by Henry’s companions from the house.
In the aftermath, Carroll manages to reach a road and pleads with a bus reserved for her tribe to take her back to the reservation, seeking refuge and perhaps closure. Her determination to return highlights her resilience and connection to her homeland, marking a poignant end to a story filled with themes of justice, tradition, and personal redemption.
