Live by Night

In the restless summer of the 1920s, the United States trembles under the weight of Prohibition, a law that has turned ordinary streets into shadowed avenues where ambition and desperation collide. Boston’s bustling neighborhoods pulse with the same mix of old‑world heritage and modern restlessness, while the distant Gulf Coast promises a hotter, more unrestrained playground for those willing to chase the promise of quick wealth. The era’s smoky speakeasies, rum‑filled cargo ships, and the ever‑watchful eyes of lawmen create a world where every whispered deal feels like a gamble with destiny.

Joe Coughlin stands at the center of this volatile landscape. The son of a respected Boston police captain, he has spent his youth watching order upheld from the front lines, only to feel the pull of the darker side that thrives just beyond the badge. Disillusioned by the rigid morality of his upbringing and haunted by memories of a war that stole his innocence, he steps away from the safety of his family’s name to explore the intoxicating allure of organized crime. His restless drive pushes him from the cobblestones of Boston to the vibrant, rum‑laden ports of Tampa, where the humid air carries both opportunity and danger in equal measure.

Amid the swirl of new alliances, Emma Gould offers a glimpse of connection that blurs the lines between loyalty and longing, while Thomas Coughlin—his father—remains a looming presence, a reminder of the world Joe left behind. As Joe navigates the seductive promises of power and wealth, the ever‑present threat of rival factions and the relentless pressure of the law create a tense, electric atmosphere. The film swirls with the romance of the open sea, the grit of illegal enterprise, and the quiet hope that, even in a world built on betrayal, a man can carve out his own definition of honor.

Last Updated: August 10, 2025 at 03:32