The Box is a modern day film-noir set in Los Angeles. Frank Miller (James Russo), a professional thief, is released from jail. After five years in prison he decides to reform, and stop his life of crime. He takes a job in a coffee shop as a cook and meets a waitress Marie Evans (Theresa Russell). The two of them start to fall in love with each other, when Marie’s ex-husband Steve Jennings comes into the picture. He moves back with Marie forcing her to work in his strip bar and disrupting her relationship with Frank.

Frank’s prison friend Stan (Brad Dourif) tells him to stay away from Marie, that only trouble will come from his involvement. The ex-husband becomes increasingly abusive to Marie and eventually Frank steps in. Frank has a confrontation with Steve and in the middle of a fight Marie shoots Steve dead. Frank and Marie decide to dispose of Steve’s body.

At this point they find THE BOX which leads to a web of suspense and terror that takes Frank and Marie on a dangerous journey through the streets of the city.