God's Creatures

In a small remote Irish fishing village, Aileen works at the local seafood processing plant. She shares her work life with Mary, who is grieving the loss of her son Mark, and Sarah, who is struggling in her marriage with Francie.

During Mark's funeral reception, Aileen is surprised to see her estranged son Brian return from Australia after a long absence. The event brings a mix of emotions as the family gathers, including Aileen's husband Con and their daughter Erin with her newborn.

Brian expresses his desire to restart the family oyster trapping farm that had been abandoned. However, lacking resources and money, Aileen resorts to stealing oysters from her workplace to help her son fulfill this dream.

Upon discovering the missing oysters, seafood supplier Francie becomes furious, leading Aileen to blame a lower worker to deflect the suspicion. Meanwhile, Sarah grapples with her decision to leave Francie and is visibly heartbroken.

Confronted about his actions, Brian storms off after Aileen confronts him about stealing fish. Later, Brian runs into Sarah at the pub, attempting to reconnect with her romantically, despite Aileen's concerns.

A devastating moratorium is announced after fungus is discovered on the oysters at the processing plant. The news sends shockwaves through the community, affecting everyone's livelihood, and Sarah faints under the stress of it all.

The police inform Aileen that a sexual assault claim has been made against Brian. Despite the serious accusation, Aileen lies to the officer, providing Brian with an alibi, demonstrating her fierce loyalty to her son.

Aileen, Brian, and Sarah are summoned to court regarding the sexual assault claim. Aileen's testimony supports Brian, leading the court to dismiss the case due to a lack of evidence, leaving Sarah in despair.

Upon returning to the processing plant, Sarah is let go due to her repeated absences caused by the traumatizing events. As she leaves, Sarah hints at Aileen's role in the missing oysters, further straining Aileen's reputation.

Haunted by guilt over her actions, Aileen experiences a profound sense of loss when her father-in-law Paddy passes away in his sleep. At the wake, tensions flare when Sarah confronts Brian, only to be stopped by Aileen.

As Brian's frustration grows, he flirts with a younger girl during the reception, prompting Aileen to step in. This leads to a fight between Brian and Con, showcasing the deteriorating family dynamics.

Following the family conflict, Aileen and Brian head to the family's oyster plots. During this trip, Aileen confronts Brian about the assault allegations against him, but Brian dismisses her concerns and excuses his behavior.

While Aileen returns to the boat, the rising tide overwhelms Brian, resulting in his drowning. This tragic event shatters the family further and leaves Aileen grappling with her choices.

In the aftermath of Brian's death, Aileen urges Sarah to stay in the village. However, Sarah recognizes that her past is too painful and decides to leave, seeking a fresh start away from the negativity.