John Grady Cole (Damon) and his best friend Lacey Rawlins (Henry Thomas) leave Texas and head south of the border in search of adventure and find work as horse wranglers. But when Cole embarks on an illicit and passionate affair with the beautiful daughter (Penélope Cruz, ALL ABOUT MY MOTHER) of the wealthy ranch owner who is his employer, events are set into motion which forever change the lives of all involved.