In a tiny room surrounded by frosted glass, Tessa sits on a couch. On the other end of the couch sits Brendan, a police officer assigned to wait with her before she gives evidence that on a one-night stand 12 years ago, she was raped. Quickly, the tension in this tiny room reaches breaking point, culminating in an act of violence where the line between victim and perpetrator becomes blurred.

Two weeks later, Jos climbs the walls of the same small room, trying to open a window so he can smoke one last cigarette before the jury returns with their verdict on what happened when he picked up a girl at a bar 12 years ago and took her home for the night. He is soon joined by his wife Caitlin, who moves at a ferocious pace as she tries to stand by her man and keep her splintering family together.

break, or catch fire explores two sides of the same story by four people stuck in a room waiting for 12 strangers to determine the truth.