A serial killer brutally slays and dismembers several gay men in New York's S and M and leather districts. The young police officer Steve Burns (Al Pacino) is sent undercover onto the streets as decoy for the murderer. Working almost completely isolated from his department, he has to learn and practice the complex rules and signals of this little society. While barely seeing his girlfriend Nancy anymore, the work starts changing him.

St. James Hotel, 109 West 45th Street and 7th Avenue, Manhattan.

West Street (btw West 10th Street & Christopher Street) Manhattan.

140 Claremont Avenue and West 122nd Street, Manhattan.