The ATF receives a tip of suspicious activity involving weapons taking place among a small religious community led by David Koresh (Taylor Kitsch) at the Mount Carmel Center, located just outside of Waco, TX.

ATF agent Jacob Vasquez (John Leguizamo) begins undercover surveillance on the Mount Carmel compound and befriends David Koresh (Taylor Kitsch) in hopes of finding illegal weapons or other activity.

The ATF siege is in motion. Assault vehicles storm the Mount Carmel compound and gunfire is exchanged, which begins a 51-day standoff.

Negotiations intensify as the Branch Davidians refuse to surrender. As David Koresh (Taylor Kitsch) waits for a sign from God, the lack of food and medical treatment tests both the Davidians' faith and law enforcement's patience.

For a moment, it seems like the end of the stalemate is nearing when the FBI's tactical division turns up the heat with psy-ops on David Koresh (Taylor Kitsch) and the Branch Davidians.

The standoff at the Mount Carmel compound comes to a violent and tragic end.