Bud Davis, a young man from the Texas countryside, moves to Houston to work in the oil industry and live with his Uncle Bob. On weekends, he frequents Gilley’s, a massive honky-tonk bar where country music, beer, brawls, and mechanical bull-riding define the scene.
At Gilley’s, Bud meets Sissy, an independent and spirited woman who loves dancing and riding the mechanical bull. The two fall in love quickly and get married—but their relationship is far from smooth.
Bud’s traditional ideas about gender roles clash with Sissy’s desire for independence. When Sissy befriends Wes Hightower, a dangerous ex-con and bull-riding champion, it pushes the already-strained marriage to the breaking point. Wes and Sissy begin working and training together—fueling Bud’s jealousy and insecurity.
The film builds toward a climactic mechanical bull-riding contest at Gilley’s, where Bud must prove not only his toughness but also his love.
