An American lawyer, Jack Moore, is accused of murder in Beijing while on a business trip. He was about to sign a major film and television distribution deal with the Chinese government when the body of a man was found in his hotel room. Despite being asleep at the time of the murder, Jack is charged and the deal is awarded to his competitor, HoffCo. With connections between the victim and high-ranking officials in China, Jack's case is complicated by language, cultural, and political barriers. His court-appointed lawyer, Shen Yuelin, initially follows government policy but begins to suspect Jack is framed after investigating the case.

Red Corner
A Chinese defense attorney embarks on a quest to clear the name of an American lawyer, wrongly accused of murder, by uncovering the truth and fighting for his freedom.