Swimming With Sharks is the story of Guy (Frank Whaley), a newly hired assistant to successful Hollywood producer, Buddy Ackerman (Kevin Spacey). Ackerman is a nightmare of a boss, publicly humiliating Guy at any chance he gets, as well as making Guy conform to his odd rituals and practices. Guy, who at first seems extremely naïve and submissive, becomes obsessed himself with moving up the corporate ladder and begins to use Buddy for his own advancement. Guy eventually becomes privy to a highly significant secret involving Ackerman, so he kidnaps and brutally tortures his boss hoping to get what he believes he deserves.