Sutherland plays Denver Bayliss, a condemned murder who has killed three people, including a prison guard. He was brought into the system as a juvenile delinquent and never got out. Now he's awaiting execution. Whitaker (The Crying Game) stars as Fred Whitmore, a death row prison guard who runs into trouble when he refuses to take part in the brutally abusive tactics of the gaurds. However, something about Denever haunts Fred Whitmore, and the two men form an unexpected friendship that transforms their lives.

Last Light marks the directorial debut of Kiefer Sutherland. The Hollywood Reporter calls his performance in the film "tremendous," and New York Magazine says, "From Whitaker, we expect a remarkable range, and he extends it in Last Light."