After serving a jail term, tough Jimmy Kerrigan returns to his derelict Belfast quarter, wanting a better, legal life for himself and his loved-ones. Not easy, as brother Terry is addicted and their ma gravely ill. Lenient parole terms leave him in charge of unorthodox Father Gabriel Flynn, who recruits him for the parish passion play, which he modernizes into an attack on crime and corruption. Drug baron Donnie McGlone, in league with the local police chief, wants everything back to normal, whatever it takes.