American History X unfolds through the eyes of Danny, whose older brother Derek is seeking retribution for their father's murder. Full of anger, Derek becomes the charismatic leader of a local white power movement. Despite his intelligence, Derek's hateful actions culminate in a brutal murder and lead to his imprisonment.
Three years later Derek's mother Doris, his girlfriend Stacey and Danny awaits his release. Unbeknownst to all of them however, Derek is a changed man. Fresh from prison and ashamed of his past, he is now in a race to save his brother and family from the violence he has brought down on them.