The film begins with a home invasion that results in the brutal murders of Clyde Shelton’s wife and daughter. The perpetrators, Clarence Darby and his accomplice, are quickly apprehended by the police. However, due to a plea bargain arranged by the district attorney, Nick Rice (played by Jamie Foxx), Darby receives a reduced sentence in exchange for testifying against his partner, who is sentenced to death.
Feeling betrayed by the justice system and frustrated by what he perceives as a lack of justice for his family, Clyde begins to plot his revenge. Ten years later, Darby is found brutally murdered, and evidence leads the police to Clyde’s home. Clyde is arrested and charged with Darby’s murder.
As Clyde is interrogated by Nick, it becomes clear that he has orchestrated the murders from inside his jail cell. Clyde refuses to cooperate with the authorities, and it becomes evident that he is executing an elaborate plan to seek justice on his own terms.
Throughout the film, Clyde continues to target those he holds responsible for his family’s deaths, including judges, lawyers, and even members of law enforcement. He uses sophisticated tactics and deadly traps to carry out his vendetta, all while remaining behind bars.
As the body count rises and the city is gripped by fear, Nick realizes that he must stop Clyde before more lives are lost. However, Clyde always seems to be one step ahead, and Nick struggles to outsmart him.
In the climax of the film, Clyde’s plan reaches its final stages as he targets the mayor of Philadelphia during a public event. Nick races against time to prevent the assassination and finally confronts Clyde face to face.
In a tense confrontation, Nick offers Clyde a chance to end the violence peacefully, but Clyde refuses to back down. In the end, Clyde is killed in a shootout with the police, but not before delivering a final warning to Nick about the flaws of the justice system.
The film ends with Nick reflecting on Clyde’s actions and the moral ambiguity of the situation. Despite Clyde’s extreme methods, his message about the shortcomings of the legal system resonates, leaving Nick to question his own role in perpetuating injustice.