Paul Hegstrom is a so-called family man who puts his wife through domestic violence and his children through emotional torture. After leaving his family and almost killing his new girlfriend in one of his rages, Paul is ordered to either seek professional help through an innovative therapy program or go to jail.

In New York two detectives of the 87th precinct are initially baffled by the brutal, ritualistic slayings of several young women. Through good detective work and clues left at the crime scenes by the psychopathic killer, they are able to deduce who the killer's next victim will be. A tense chase ensues as they try to prevent him from continuing his bloody rampage

A staunch professional executive and his wife coerce their rebellious teens and their older sister to take a plane trip for a weekend in the mountains. The older sister does not make it to the plane in time and the family leaves without her. Their small private plane then develops trouble and crashes away from any people. This forces the group to band together to survive the wilderness conditions, including an avalanche.