Ben Sanderson, played by Nicolas Cage, is a struggling screenwriter who has lost custody of his son and been fired from his job due to his excessive drinking. After packing up his possessions in a shopping cart and bidding farewell to his former life, he heads to Las Vegas with the sole intention of drinking himself to death.
Upon arriving in Vegas, Ben meets Sera (played by Elisabeth Shue), a beautiful and kind-hearted prostitute who takes pity on him and offers to help him find a place to stay. Despite Sera's objections, Ben insists on paying her for her time, and the two soon form an unlikely bond.
As Ben's drinking spirals out of control, Sera becomes increasingly concerned for his well-being, but he stubbornly refuses to seek help or change his ways. Despite their growing feelings for one another, the two agree that their relationship must remain purely platonic, as Ben's self-destructive behavior will inevitably cause him to hurt those around him.
Leaving Las Vegas is a dark and emotional exploration of addiction, self-destruction, and the unexpected connections that can form between two lost souls. It earned critical acclaim upon its release in 1995, with Nicolas Cage winning the Academy Award for Best Actor for his portrayal of Ben Sanderson.