Two ex-cons kidnap a young woman and plan to make a mint on the ransom. Their hostage is Alice Creed (Gemma Arterton), daughter of a rich businessman, chosen by Danny (Martin Compston) and Vic (Eddie Marsan) as their passport to a better life. Terrified and immobile at first, it soon becomes clear that Alice isnt about to let her captors use her as capital without a fight. As determined to escape as Vic and Danny are to succeed, Alice enters into a battle of wills which strains the already fractious relationship between the two men. As the deadline for the exchange draws nearer, all three are brought close to breaking point, with Vic and Dannys foolproof plan descending into a desperate struggle for survival.