Los Angeles, December 30th, 1999. The film begins with a mysterious voice declaring, > "Ok, hit me..." followed by a sudden burst of TV static, which transitions us to an intense scene inside a car with three men. They're passing around handguns and obscuring their identities with nylon stockings. Our perspective shifts to the man in the backseat as he pulls a stocking over his head, immersing us in his experience.
The vehicle halts at a convenience store, where the men storm in, quickly subduing the terrified customers and the Asian proprietors. As they drain the cash register and compel one of the owners to empty the safe, the hostages, including the store owners, are crammed into a food locker and locked inside. As the robbers make their escape through the front of the store, they unexpectedly collide with a group of police officers. In a desperate act, one of the robbers charges at the cops, while the remaining two are pushed back into the store and make a frantic dash for an emergency exit leading to a staircase. They sprint up the stairs as the officers pursue closely behind. Upon reaching the rooftop, they are spotlighted by a helicopter. In a daring leap to a neighboring building, one robber lands safely, but our protagonist hangs perilously off the ledge as his comrade struggles to pull him up. Amid the chaos, police gunfire ensues, causing him to lose his grip and tragically fall to his death. The screen then fades to static, then black.
Lenny Nero, portrayed by Angela Bassett, is subsequently revealed to be viewing a recording of the robbery. Frustrated, he rips off a peculiar, spider-like device that monitors his sensations, expressing his disdain for such “playbacks” where individuals meet grim fates. His technician, Tick, insists on full payment for the disturbing clip, after revealing that he recovered his equipment from the morgue. Lenny reluctantly agrees and inquires about other recordings available for sale.
Operating within a world of virtual reality, Lenny specializes in trading personal experiences recorded by individuals, allowing customers to “jack in” and relive moments—including illicit escapades. This technology, originally developed for law enforcement, is illegal for civilian use. During an encounter with a potential buyer, Lenny is disrupted by his old cop friend, Max. A prior officer drummed out of the LAPD by his ex-boss, Commissioner Strickland, Lenny is trying to navigate his life as a dealer in memories.
In a separate, tense scene, an agitated woman finds herself chased by two LAPD officers. In a frantic attempt to escape, she manages to board a subway car, but one officer, Steckler, desperately clutches at her hair, which is revealed to be a wig. His partner, Engleman, discovers a peculiar device hidden within the wig—an SQUID (Superconductive QUantum Interference Device), capable of recording thoughts. Although the woman escapes, the officers are visibly rattled.
As Lenny enjoys drinks with Max, breaking news announces the murder of a prominent hip-hop artist, Jeriko One, who was known for his criticism of the LAPD. His agent, Philo Gant, mentions Jeriko's role as a voice for the marginalized. The frightened woman, later revealed to be Iris, approaches Lenny at the bar, dropping a playback disc along with a cryptic note, warning him that she—and his former lover, Faith—are in grave danger.
Following a series of events that include Lenny's troubled past and risky endeavors, he is drawn deeper into the world of crime and corruption. Lenny's journey takes a dark turn as he watches a critically disturbing recording that showcases Iris being violently attacked, prompting him to rush to save her. Together with Mace, his dedicated friend, they navigate a maze of betrayals, danger, and shocking revelations.
As they pursue justice at a high-profile New Year’s Eve party—where tangled loyalties and deadly secrets come to light—Lenny and Mace uncover truth and deception that eclipse the very essence of virtual experiences. In a violent climax, Lenny confronts a shocking twist involving Max, the man he once trusted, leading to a desperate fight for survival.
In the aftermath, with tensions simmering, Lenny and Mace ultimately find solace in each other's arms as the world celebrates the dawn of a new millennium, encapsulating the chaotic blend of technology and humanity entwined in their story.
