The film opens with John Brennan (Russell Crowe) behind the wheel of a Toyota Prius, a sense of urgency in the air as his passenger gasps for air, only to suddenly go silent. The scene transitions to a flashback titled "Last three years," where John, along with his wife Lara Brennan (Elizabeth Banks), brother Mick (Michael Buie), and sister-in-law Erit (Moran Atias), is having an uncomfortable dinner that quickly devolves into a heated argument. The topic of discussion transforms into a fierce debate between Erit and Lara, fueled by Lara's recent altercation with her boss. The tension shifts back home, where after refreshing their babysitter, John and Lara share a moment of affection, only to have their routine shattered the next morning when Lara finds herself being arrested for the murder of her boss—her crying three-year-old son Luke (played by Tyler & Toby Green) in the background amplifies the moment's tragedy.
Fast forward three years, and John is now an English instructor at a community college, trying to raise Luke, now seven (played by Tyler Simpkins), while juggling the burden of Lara's imprisonment and ongoing appeal. Lara remains incarcerated in Allegheny County Jail (Pittsburgh, PA), holding on to a glimmer of hope that the real killer might one day be identified. With few resources and seemingly insurmountable odds against them, John's desperation mounts when Lara's lawyer, Daniel Stern, coldly informs him that their options are exhausted. This leads to a heartbreaking attempt at suicide by Lara, propelling John into a frantic plan to break her out of jail and flee the country.
In the pursuit of freedom, John conducts thorough research on prison life and escape routes. His efforts lead him to Damon Pennington (Liam Neeson), an experienced ex-con who mentors him on the grim realities of his endeavor, emphasizing that he must be willing to resort to violence if necessary. With the clock ticking, John collects critical intel, buys prescription drugs from shady dealers, and even tries his hand at creating counterfeit identification. In the midst of chaos, he also forges a connection with Nicole (Olivia Wilde), a woman from the park whose daughter befriends Luke.
As days turn to frantic planning sessions, John's determination becomes even more intense when he learns that Lara is about to be transferred to a different facility. Knowing he must act swiftly, he makes risky decisions, including breaking into a medical van to manipulate Lara's blood work. Tensions rise, and John's stakes continue to escalate as he confronts dangerous situations, including turning to violence to procure funds for his escape plans.
During a tense encounter with law enforcement, John executes the daring rescue of Lara at the hospital, binding everyone in the room and forcing her to don civilian attire as they flee. The couple, fighting against time, evades capture by alert detectives, including Lieutenant Nabulsi, who is hot on their trail after the drug dealer incident. With Luke in tow, the family finds a precarious sense of normality amidst their chaos while desperately seeking solace in stolen moments.
Throughout their journey, John wrestles with his choices, showing the strain of carrying out a plot that many would deem impossible. Their story is filled with citings of love, desperation, and the length a person will go to for family in dire circumstances. Ultimately, the family's pursuit of freedom leads them to Venezuela, where they reclaim some semblance of happiness, with John capturing a tender moment of Lara and Luke together—a loving family once again, despite all odds.
