Baltimore

Set in the early 1970s, the narrative tracks Rose's evolution from a privileged student to a radical activist. The period is marked by civil rights protests, violent crackdowns, and escalating IRA activity, culminating in the April 1974 Russborough raid. The era's tension drives the choices and consequences faced by the characters.

The story is set against the backdrop of the Troubles in Northern Ireland, focusing on a politically charged atmosphere of activism and conflict. Russborough House serves as the high-profile target of the art theft, illustrating the clash between wealth and political extremism. The locations highlight contrasts between privileged life and political violence.

🧨 Radicalization

Rose's transition from privilege to activist radicalism is the central arc, driven by political injustice and propaganda. The film portrays how exposure to violence can push individuals toward action over dialogue. It also probes the moral costs of such radicalization on relationships, loyalty, and personal safety. The narrative examines whether drastic acts can truly achieve lasting change or merely provoke retaliation.

🎭 Identity and Class

Rose abandons her aristocratic identity, selling her home and renouncing her family name to immerse herself in IRA activity. The disguise of a French-accented persona and a red wig marks a deliberate erasure of her former self. The theme explores how class privilege can be leveraged or rejected in political struggle. The film questions whether personal identity should be a currency in a political cause.

🎨 Art and Politics

Art becomes both object of desire and political leverage in the Russborough raid. The team targets a Vermeer among Beit's collection, using art as bargaining power for prisoners and political demands. The plan raises ethical questions about theft as a tactic and its impact on cultural heritage. The ensuing manhunt demonstrates that art, wealth, and power are entangled with political violence.