Roy Parmenter is an FBI agent in San Diego; 20 years ago his partner was killed by a Soviet spy, nicknamed Scuba, still at large. Scuba is now trying to extort the Soviets; to prove he's serious, he's killing their agents one by one, including "sleepers," agents under deep cover awaiting orders. Roy interviews a high school lad, Jeff Grant, an applicant to the Air Force Academy. In a routine background check, Roy discovers that Jeff's parents are sleepers. He must see if Jeff is also a spy, confront the parents yet protect them, and catch his nemesis. Meanwhile, the Soviets have sent their own spy-catcher, the loner Karpov, to reel in Scuba. Alliances shift; it's cat and mouse.
Sidney Poitier
as Roy Parmenter
River Phoenix
as Jeff Grant
Richard Jenkins
as Richard Grant
Caroline Kava
as Elizabeth Grant
Lucy Deakins
as Barbara Kerry
Richard Bradford
as Konstantin Karpov
Richard Lynch
as Scuba
Jerry Hardin
as Brewer
Loretta Devine
as Verna McLaughlin
Albert Fortell
as Bunin
Ronald Guttman
as Spessky
Jacob Vargas
as Miguel
