The life of a small town's beloved barber is turned upside down by the arrival of a mysterious stranger. Eugene Van Wingerdt has been a pillar of this community for years but no one in this small town knows that he may be hiding a deadly secret. John LaRue has been hunting for a serial killer who, thanks to a lack of evidence, was released from custody only to disappear. Convinced that Van Wingerdt is the guy, LaRue has arrived in his small town not to expose him instead he wants to learn how to kill. Only the best can teach him how to get away with it. The two form a twisted bond that is part father/son, part master/protege. The lessons start small but it's not long before the homework grows more challenging and this nice small town suddenly isn't safe anymore.