The film follows Dr. Guy Luthan (played by Hugh Grant), a talented young emergency room doctor working in a New York City hospital. One night, Luthan encounters a patient named Mr. Stark (played by David Morse), who is brought in with mysterious injuries. Despite Luthan’s efforts to treat him, Stark dies suddenly, leaving Luthan puzzled and disturbed by the circumstances of his death.
Determined to uncover the truth, Luthan begins to investigate Stark’s background and the events leading up to his death. He discovers that Stark was a homeless man who had been used as a human guinea pig in a series of unethical medical experiments conducted by a powerful pharmaceutical company.
As Luthan delves deeper into the conspiracy, he finds himself targeted by shadowy forces intent on silencing him and covering up the truth. With the help of his friend and colleague Dr. Lawrence Myrick (played by Gene Hackman), Luthan races against time to expose the corruption and hold those responsible accountable for their actions.
In the climax of the film, Luthan confronts Myrick, who confesses to his involvement in the experiments and reveals the extent of the company’s crimes. Myrick attempts to kill Luthan to prevent him from going public with the information, but Luthan manages to overpower him and escape.
In the end, Luthan publishes his findings, exposing the pharmaceutical company’s illegal activities and bringing them to justice. However, he is forced to go into hiding to protect himself from retaliation by the company’s powerful allies.
“Extreme Measures” is praised for its suspenseful plot, thought-provoking themes, and strong performances, particularly by Hugh Grant and Gene Hackman. It raises ethical questions about the boundaries of medical research and the lengths to which some people will go in the pursuit of scientific advancement.