The story follows a young New York City gangster of Italian descent named Johnny, who has been given control over his own neighborhood by the Mafia.

Then unknown actors Vincent Spano (as Johnny), Jami Gertz, and Michael Winslow are featured in this low-budget thriller.

Johnny, a working-class Italian-American from Alphabet City, works for the New York Italian-American Mafia, which has placed him in charge of running organized crime operations and rackets in his neighborhood, including drug-dealing operations and the collection of protection money, debts, and street taxes and kick-ups from other local gangsters.

By the end of the night, Johnny must save his sister and mother from the burning of their building as well as rescue his girlfriend and their newborn child from the clutches of the Mob.

The music was composed by the prolific producer Nile Rodgers, notable for his work with acts such as Chic, Sister Sledge, and Madonna.