Mayor Herod (Gene Hackman) has turned the town of Redemption from a friendly and safe place into a haven for criminals and thugs. In return for keeping these men on the streets, Herod receives fifty cents out of every dollar they make. Every year he holds a quick-draw shoot-out contest with a huge cash prize as bait. However, the only winner always seems to be the local mayor, until one year strapping female gunslinger Ellen (Sharon Stone) arrives in town to challenge him.