Brian Kessler (David Duchovny) is obsessed with writing a book on serial killers. He, and his photojournalist girlfriend, Carrie Laughlin (Michelle Forbes), have decided to drive cross-country to California, stopping at the sites of serial killings. They are driving with Early Grayce (Brad Pitt) and his girlfriend Adele Corners (Juliette Lewis). Early is a paroled, seemingly small-time criminal. With each murder site they visit, Brian gets pulled deeper into the dark world of serial killers. Meanwhile, Early begins to act more and more unstable and it becomes clear that he is a serial killer himself. Now Brian and Carrie have to find a way out of this eerie cat and mouse situation they have found themselves in.