Three radical environmentalists come together to execute the most intense protest of their lives: the explosion of a hydroelectric dam. Harmon (Peter Sarsgaard) is a former Marine, radicalised by tours of duty overseas, Dena (Dakota Fanning) is a high-society dropout, edging ever deeper into radical politics. And Josh (Jesse Eisenberg), their leader, is a self-made militant, devoted to the protection of the earth by any means necessary.

As the three plan, carry out and then witness the fallout of their attention-grabbing act of sabotage, they find their own personal limits tested on a journey of doubt, paranoia and unintended consequences.