TERENCE MCDONAGH (Nicolas Cage), Homicide detective with the New Orleans Police Department, saves a prisoner from drowning in the immediate aftermath of Hurricane Katrina. In so doing, he severely injures his back. He’s promoted to Lieutenant, put on prescription pain medication and returned to active duty.

A year later finds Terence addicted to Vicodin and cocaine, buoyed by the conceit that he can take care of everyone he needs to take care of, is a better cop than he’s ever been. He has his bosses sufficiently convinced that when a family of African immigrants is found massacred, Terence is the guy to head up the investigation.