The film depicts the kidnapping of student Patty Hearst by the Symbionese Liberation Army, her transformation into an active follower of the SLA after a long-lasting imprisonment and process of purported brainwashing, and her final arrest after a series of armed robberies.

Members of the Symbionese Liberation Army kidnap Patty Hearst from her Berkeley apartment and take her to their safe house, where she is kept blindfolded in a closet.

She is told by the group's leader, "General Field Marshall" Cinque, that she is being used for bargaining for the release of two captive comrades, an offer eventually refused by the state.

Hiding out at a motel, the group learn that the SLA's main safe house has been raided and watch the subsequent shootout on television, in which the members besides themselves are killed.

The trio move to Pennsylvania to stay at the home of SLA member Wendy, who is somewhat disillusioned with the cause following the arrest of a comrade.

They meet up with an SLA chapter in San Francisco and continue performing bank robberies and bombing police cars.

Teko and Yolanda split from the group in search of a black leader and the apartment is later raided by the FBI, leading to Patty and Wendy's arrest.

In the subsequent trial, Patty is cross-examined and she is found guilty on the charges of bank robbery and using a firearm during the commission of a felony.