The story begins in 1988, when crime rates soared in the U.S., prompting the government to turn Manhattan Island into a maximum-security prison surrounded by a containment wall. By 1997, after a hijacking of Air Force One by anti-government terrorists, the President escapes in a pod, but is captured by criminals on the island.

Police Commissioner Hauk recruits Snake Plissken, a former special forces soldier turned criminal, to rescue the President and retrieve a crucial cassette tape containing nuclear fusion data. In exchange, Snake will receive a full pardon. However, he's implanted with capsules that will kill him if he tries to escape the mission.

After a challenging entry into Manhattan, Snake discovers that the President is being held by the Duke of New York, a powerful crime lord. With the help of a friendly prisoner named Cabbie, Snake learns the President is being used as leverage for the Duke's escape plan. Snake attempts a rescue but is betrayed by former friends Brian and Maggie, leading to a series of chaotic events.

During a fight, Snake is injured, but he ultimately manages to rescue the President. As they attempt to escape, they face numerous obstacles, including deadly mines. Tragedy strikes as they lose Cabbie and Brian, but Snake and the President push on.

In a final confrontation with the Duke, the President saves Snake, and they reach the safety of the containment wall. Snake is freed just as the explosives are deactivated. However, the President is duped when the cassette he presents at a summit plays a mixtape instead of the nuclear data.

The film ends with Snake walking away, casually destroying the tape, symbolizing his escape from the chaos of Manhattan.