When it becomes apparent that there is a serial killer at work in New York City targeting gay men, Captain Edelson (Paul Sorvino) asks young police officer Steve Burns (Pacino) to go undercover and attempt to identify the killer. Burns, who is similar in appearance to the victims, hopes that this will serve to advance his career and accepts the assignment.

However, the case soon begins to take a toll on him and affects his relationship with his girlfriend Nancy (Karen Allen). Will he catch the killer before he loses himself completely?