Lewis McBride (Joaquin Phoenix), Tony Croft (David Conrad) and John 'Sheriff' Volgecherev (Vince Vaughn) are three friends spending time together in Malaysia. They are thoroughly enjoying alcohol, women and the excellent and cheap hash. They are having the time of their life. Tony and Sheriff return to the United States and lose all contact with their friend Lewis. Two years later, a lawyer comes to visit them and lets them know that Lewis was arrested shortly after their departure for possession of hash. In Malaysia, the penalty for this offense is death. The Malaysian prosecutor is willing to reduce the penalty, but only on the condition that Tony and Sheriff both go to Malaysia to serve their part of the sentence. This is a serious delimma for both friends.