In Istanbul, retired CIA operative Bryan Mills and his wife are taken hostage by the father of a kidnapper Mills killed while rescuing his daughter.

Ko strokovnjaku za vodovodne napeljave Jacku pri neki multinacionalki ponudijo dobro plačano službo v jugovzhodni Aziji, ta ne okleva, temveč se s svojo ženo in njunima hčerkama nemudoma preseli na drug konec sveta. Tam se družina že takoj po prihodu sreča s težavami: elektronska oprema ne deluje, na cestah pa skoraj ni avtomobilov.

Gunnery Sergeant Burns reports for duty to an American Embassy in the Middle East. However due to the 'enlightened' views of the Ambassador, the marine security detachment he is in charge of is severely restricted in their functions and presence to avoid upsetting the host government. As a result, when terrorists attack the compound, they are able to kidnap hostages and escape with little opposition. Burns ignores the Ambassador's restrictions, and throws the rule books out the window, as he becomes a one man army in an attempt to rescue the hostages, and wipe out the terrorists.