Lewis, Sheriff, and Tony are enjoying their vacation in Malaysia when they meet a beautiful woman named Beth. After spending time with her, they all part ways, with Sheriff and Tony returning to their lives in New York and Lewis staying behind to work with orangutans.
Two years later, Sheriff and Tony are shocked to receive a letter from Lewis's lawyer informing them that he has been arrested for drug possession and is facing a death sentence. The letter explains that Lewis was caught with a small amount of hashish, and under Malaysian law, anyone caught with that amount is subject to a mandatory death penalty.
The lawyer explains that there is a loophole in the law - if the authorities believe that Lewis was not acting alone, they will offer a bargain: if two other people come forward to share the sentence with Lewis, then all three will be given a reduced sentence of three years in prison.
Sheriff and Tony are faced with a dilemma. They know that Lewis is innocent and cannot bear the thought of him being executed, but they also know that they have their own lives to live and returning to Malaysia would be a significant sacrifice. They eventually decide to return to Malaysia, but when they arrive, they discover that the Malaysian authorities have raised the stakes - they are now asking for eight years in prison instead of three.
As the three friends struggle to decide what to do, they are confronted with the harsh reality of life in a Malaysian prison. They witness horrific conditions, rampant corruption, and are forced to confront their own moral values. Will they agree to share Lewis's sentence or will they let him die? The film ultimately asks audiences to consider the timeless question of how much one is willing to sacrifice for a friend.