In preparation for the visit of Pope John Paul II to Rio de Janeiro in 1997, a BOPE captain named Nascimento undertakes the task of ensuring that the neighborhoods of the city are safe for the imminent visit.
When a riot occurs at a prison in Brazil, the BOPE forces intervene under the command of Officer Nascimento, with bloody consequences, whereupon Nascimento gets embroiled in a conflict between corrupt politicians and a guerrilla army.