Black Joy

Ben Jones arrives at Heathrow Airport with a suitcase and a wallet full of money. Immigration officials question his naïve explanation that the cash comes from his grandmother and subject him to a humiliating strip search. He leaves the airport confused but determined to reach Brixton.

A naïve Ben travels to Brixton to search for an obscure address. There, Devon, a ten-year-old boy, offers to help in exchange for payment. Devon spots Ben's money and makes it the price of his assistance.

Devon spots Ben's fat wallet and demands payment in exchange for helping find the address. When Ben reveals the cash, Devon grabs the wallet and runs off, leaving him poorer and more vulnerable in Brixton.

Disappointed and stranded, Ben is forced to sleep at a local hostel after losing his money. The setback leaves him alone in Brixton as he tries to recover what was taken.

That evening, Dave King, a charismatic petty crook, intercepts Ben's wallet and keeps the cash. He pretends to be a responsible adult and befriends Ben by lending him money, masking Devon's earlier theft. This marks the start of a complicated, exploitative friendship.

Dave takes Ben to a betting shop, where a horse win yields Ben a cash prize. He uses his winnings to secure new accommodation, kickstarting his precarious housing situation in London.

Ben finds work as a dustman but loses it again when he hands his earnings over to a fraudulent landlord. The incident further destabilizes his fragile life in the city. He remains desperate for a stable place to stay.

Desperate for somewhere to live, Ben asks Dave to share a flat. Dave agrees, but imposes a set of skewed rules that Ben naively accepts, tightening rather than improving his situation.

Ben uses his income to decorate the flat and impress Saffra, offering her a family heirloom ring. Saffra returns the ring, deeming it financially worthless, which reveals the limits of Ben's romantic prospects.

Dave takes Ben to Soho for a night of sex shops, strip clubs, and a prostitute. At a nightclub, Ben meets Sally and loses his virginity that same night.

Dave loses money in a poker game and turns to Miriam, who is furious after returning from an abortion clinic. With encouragement from Sally, Ben confronts Dave about how he has used their friendship, and Ben resolves to stay friends rather than remain exploited.

Dave seizes a car deal arranged by Jomo and takes Miriam, Ben, and Saffra to Margate for an overnight trip. They spend a lot of money and Dave loses the rest at a casino. Ben and Saffra sleep together, though she remains non-committal.

In the morning, Dave asks Ben for cash to pay the bills, but Ben refuses. He suggests buying Jomo's car and keeping the receipt, and Dave reluctantly agrees as they return to London.

Back in Brixton, Ben refuses to resell Jomo's Buick, and Jomo tries to force the sale. Ben overpowers him, and Jomo backs down, with Dave expressing relief at Ben's assertiveness.

Devon and Saffra join Ben in the Buick and drive away together, signaling a mixed but freer alliance as their circle moves forward.