El Boy (Bernal) is a street kid who lives with his alcoholic aunt Chenta (Beristain) dreaming of one chance to run away and reach his long-lost friend Mauricio (Bichir) in the bordertown of Tijuana. Mauricio returns and tries to convince El Boy of helping him in a kidnapping, but confidence between them is rapidly replaced with lies and betrayal. After commiting a crime, El Boy will be sent to Tijuana leaving Mauricio free way to take control of his entire life.