The movie Snakehead follows the story of Sister Tse, a Chinese immigrant who is brought to New York City by a human trafficker. Upon arrival, she is forced to work in a Chinatown massage parlor as a debt-bonded slave. Despite her difficult circumstances, Tse's survival instincts allow her to impress the elderly matriarch of the crime family responsible for her transport. She rises quickly in the ranks, earning promotions and gaining power within the organization.
As she gains more authority, Tse is tasked with overseeing the recruitment of new women for the massage parlor. She becomes disillusioned with her role in the organization and her own complicity in the exploitation of other women. Tse begins to question her loyalty to the Snakehead, the leader of the criminal enterprise.
Tse's primary motivation for coming to America was to reunite with the young son who was taken from her in China. She enlists the help of a sympathetic Chinatown shop owner and a local police officer to help her locate the child. As she draws closer to finding her son, Tse must navigate the dangerous political landscape of Chinatown and decide where her allegiances truly lie.
In the end, Sister Tse must confront the difficult truth about her past and reconcile with the choices she has made. The film explores themes of identity, power, and the struggle for agency in the face of difficult circumstances.