In the early 21st century, the USA is in the wake of the Second Civil War. The whole country is in a constant state of emergency. What was formerly called the American Congress now rules the country with fascistic methods. There is only one free city left, Steel Harbor, a coastal California industrial town which is headquarters for the resistance. This is the home town of Barb Wire, owner of the Hammerhead nightclub. As times aren't good, Barb has a second job. She's a bounty hunter and you probably wouldn't want her after you. Barb's credo is to never take sides for anybody and that's the only way to survive these days in the crime-ridden streets of Steel Harbor. One evening, her former lover Axel Hood appears at the club asking for a favor to help him and his lover Cora D flee the country to Canada, Barb suddenly finds herself to be key player on high political stage. Now she has to take sides. 本片讲述21世纪初期，美国爆发内战，独裁政权推翻民主制度，自号国会监察。各义士奋起抗暴，全国烽烟四起，各地更严密实施军管。唯一的自由城市钢港，市内龙蛇混杂。火凤凰在此经营酒巴，兼职捕快与一批抗暴分子并肩全战。艾素是一名自由战士，与火凤凰曾有过一段恋情，帮助女科学家戴博士逃离华盛顿，并与她一起逃到钢港，在走投无路之下求助火凤凰，相处之下二人发生微妙的感情。
