Ryan Gosling stars in this triptych of tales that follows the impact that a father's actions have on the generations that follow. Told in three narrative arcs set over a period of 15 years, the story begins when itinerant carnival stunt rider Luke (Gosling) discovers that former flame Romina (Eva Mendes) is raising the infant son he never knew he had. Determined to provide for his son, but without the financial means, Luke quits his job and agrees to a friend's suggestion to utilise his motorcycling skills for bank robbery. As his decision sets in motion a chain of events that will have far reaching consequences, investigating police officer Avery Cross (Bradley Cooper) soon finds himself faced with his own set of difficult choices, as he becomes enmeshed in the corrupt actions of his colleagues.