Robert de Niro stars as vicious psychopath Max Cady who emerges after being imprisoned for 14 years with a single-minded mission: To seek revenge on his attorney Sam Bowden (Nick Nolte). Realizing he is legally powerless to protect his beautiful wife Leigh (Jessica Lange) and his troubled teenage daughter Danielle (Juliette Lewis) against Max's relentless psychological torment, Sam resorts to unorthodox measures, leading to an unforgettable, action-packed showdown.