The title of the film comes from a slang word for methamphetamine. In the film, Chev Chelios, a Los Angeles–based hitman, is poisoned by the mafia and must keep his adrenaline flowing constantly in order to keep himself alive, while he tries to track down the man who poisoned him.

The film was followed by a sequel titled Crank: High Voltage in 2009. Chev Chelios is a Los Angeles–based British hitman who works for a crime syndicate led by Don “Carlito” Carlos. Chelios is contracted by Carlito to kill mafia boss Don Kim as members of the Triads have been encroaching on Carlito’s business. Chelios goes to Don Kim and apparently murders him. In the confusion, ambitious small-time criminal Ricky Verona uses the opportunity to conspire with Carlito against Chelios: Verona will kill Chelios so the Triads do not retaliate, and then take Chelios’s place as Carlito’s new hired gun.