Election director Johnnie To's action crime drama again revolves around Triad conflict, but is also close in spirit to the classic westerns of Sergio Leone and Sam Peckinpah. A sequel of sorts to his breakthrough hit The Mission, the story revolves around five gangster pals who are reunited in Macau. One of them (Nick Cheung) has been in hiding after a failed hit on his old boss (Simon Yam) and now has a price on his head. The other four have come either to kill or protect him. However, old loyalties eventually win out, setting the scene for a bloody showdown with their vengeful employer. Although To's direction is playful at times, the melancholy air recalls Peckinpah's The Wild Bunch, as do some of the stunning slow-motion set pieces.

A friendship is formed between an ex-gangster, and two groups of hitmen - those who want to protect him and those who were sent to kill him.