Martin Sheen plays Tom, an American doctor who comes to France to collect the remains of his adult son (played by real-life son Emilio Estevez), killed in the Pyrenees while walking The Camino de Santiago, or 'The Way of St James'. Driven by a profound sadness, and desire to understand his son better, Tom decides to embark on the historical pilgrimage, leaving his old life in California behind. Armed with his son's backpack and guidebook, Tom navigates his journey along the 800km pilgrimage, but soon meets others from around the world, all looking for greater meaning in their lives.