The Hurt Locker follows a U.S. Army Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) unit as it works to defuse a series of IEDs or improvised explosive devices in the streets of Iraq.
When the team's long-time bomb technician is killed, he is quickly replaced with the intelligent but impulsive Staff Sgt. William James. Team members JT Sanborn and Owen Eldridge are initially disturbed by William's reckless behavior, but they learn to work together as a unit. It soon becomes apparent that William actually craves the feeling of mortal danger that he experiences while defusing bombs.
As the unit deals with one explosive device after another, it confronts the unpredictable and extreme violence of a growing Iraqi insurgency. Team members struggle constantly to distinguish enemy insurgents from innocent Iraqis and to protect themselves while avoiding civilian casualties. As the group's tour of duty draws to a close, each member suffers visibly from the psychological strain of war. They begin to display guilt, helplessness, random aggression and a strong desire for revenge.
When the group's tour of duty ends only William chooses to return to Iraq. He discovers that he is hopelessly addicted to his work in the military and unfit for civilian life.
