A former surfer (Nicolas Cage) returns to the paradise beach of his childhood to spend time with his teenage son. It is supposed to be a boys' weekend among the ocean waves. However, a group of locals who claim the rights to the local beach forbid the newcomers from entering "their territory". Irritated by the taunts of arrogant thugs, the man tries to show who is the boss and save face in the eyes of his son. However, he will soon learn painfully what an unfair game he has gotten himself into. The beach, heated by the hellish heat, becomes a nightmarish trap from which he can only escape by facing the local gang, from which even the police tremble.