Simon Templar (Val Kilmer) is rich, sophisticated and almost supernaturally skilled at stealing even the most closely guarded of treasures. He is also cold and cynical, until his path crosses that of Emma Russell (Elisabeth Shue), a young scientist whose life is in terrible danger. Emma has discovered the key to Russian billionaire Ivan Tretiak’s (Rade Serbedzija) overwhelming ambition — to crown himself the first Czar of the new Russian Empire — and he will do anything to neutralize the danger that she represents.

Stirred by long-dormant feelings, Templar desperately fights to protect Emma while struggling to master the one identity he cannot assume with ease — himself.