The movie follows the journey of Willet Gashade (Warren Oates) and Coley Boyard (Will Hutchins), two miners who agree to guide a woman named "Woman" (Millie Perkins) to a nearby town. As they journey through the desert, they encounter various obstacles and strange occurrences.
Throughout the film, Woman exhibits erratic behavior, often wandering off into the wilderness and exhibiting signs of paranoia. Gashade and Boyard become increasingly suspicious of her motives, and tensions rise between the three travelers.
As they continue their journey, they encounter various other characters, including a notorious gunslinger named Billy Spear (Jack Nicholson). It becomes apparent that there is more to Woman's story than what she initially led on, and the men find themselves caught up in a dangerous game of cat and mouse.
The Shooting is a psychological western that explores themes of paranoia, identity, and violence. Directed by Monte Hellman and written by Carole Eastman (under the pseudonym "Adrien Joyce"), the film is often cited as a cult classic and is beloved for its moody cinematography and enigmatic plot.