After a 2015 prison break in Dannemora, N.Y., Joyce "Tilly" Mitchell is questioned about her involvement; months earlier, Tilly is tempted by inmate David Sweat, while inmate Richard Matt paints pictures for guards.
Matt has an idea to get out of Dannemora, but Sweat is not interested; Matt begins to help Tilly with an inmate she doesn't get along with in the shop; Sweat comes to miss the freedoms that come with Matt's protection.
Matt and Sweat run into walls and other obstacles as they search for a way out, but the power of positive thinking helps keep them on track; Tilly feels guilty about her mounting indiscretions, but she has a funny way of showing it.
Excited by the possibility of a new life, Tilly tries her best to avoid Lyle, who is planning something special for their anniversary; Sweat makes progress on the escape route, but feels like he's doing all the work.
On the day of the escape, Matt and Sweat know the smallest mistake can derail their whole plan; Tilly and Lyle have a fateful dinner at an all-you-can-eat Chinese restaurant.
In a deep dive into the minds of these individuals, what Matt and Sweat are capable of outside the prison walls is finally seen; Tilly's natural instincts aren't much better.
Patricia Arquette
Tilly Mitchell
Paul Dano
David Sweat
Benicio Del Toro
Richard Matt
Bonnie Hunt
Catherine Scott
Eric Lange
Lyle Mitchell