Set in the near future, the film focuses on Arnold Mosk (Neil Patrick Harris) a high school student caught abusing drugs. Consequently he's enrolled in a controversial isolation programme nicknamed "The Animal Room" The 'Room' is a no holds barred arena designed to hold the most troubled youth, and Arnold's life soon comes under threat. He is terrorized by the 'Room's' gang leader Doug Van Housen (Matthew Lillard), a reckless delinquent with little care for life or society. However, when Arnold's childhood friend Gary, a popular school athlete, tries to save him, they all get caught up in a cycle of violence leading to a near-apocalyptic conclusion.