Dealing with nuclear testing and its long-lasting deadly effects, the story portrays Boy (River Phoenix), a young widower living in the desert on a nuclear testing site. Living as a hermit, he waits for the end of the world carving Katchina dolls that he believes have magical powers. While traveling on a "second" honeymoon across the Arizona desert, the car of a Hollywood jet-set couple (Jonathan Pryce and Judy Davis) breaks down. They are rescued by Boy, who holds them prisoners because he desires the woman and wants to create a better world with her.