Maggie Seaver is attempting to make peace with losing custody of her daughter, Angel, in the wake of a break-up with the girl's biological mother, Yoli. But when she receives evidence that Angel has been abused, Maggie kidnaps the child, drives across the border into Baja, and ends up in a spiritual commune outside the southern Baja town of Todos Santos. During the long drive down the Baja penninsula, and especially during her sojourn in the spiritual community of the Light Beings, Maggie must contend not only with the fear of being apprehended by the police, but also question the degree to which her actions are fueled by concern for her daughter or by the desire for revenge against Yoli. The ailing spiritual leader of the community provides lessons in forgiveness and redemption that will affect a profound change in each of the characters.