Live by Night

In the 1920s, Joe Coughlin reflects on his harrowing experiences from World War I in France, where he witnessed many brave soldiers perish. These memories prompt him to question the morals he once held dear, setting the stage for his later choices in life.

After the war, Joe returns to Boston with a desire to lead a virtuous life. However, fate intervenes, leading him down a darker path filled with crime and deception.

Joe orchestrates a bold robbery of a gangster, while staging the abduction of Emma Gould. Unbeknownst to everyone, Emma is actually Joe's inside informant, and their complicated relationship begins to unfold.

During a tense dinner, Joe introduces Emma to his father, Thomas Coughlin, a police captain. Thomas's palpable disapproval of Emma leads to discomfort, showing the familial tensions affecting Joe's life choices.

After becoming romantically involved with Emma, Joe aligns himself with Maso Pescatore, an Italian mobster. Maso suggests a drastic measure: killing Albert White to protect Joe's secret affair, placing Joe at a crossroads.

Joe and his partner Dion Bartolo carry out a bank heist that quickly spirals into chaos. The robbery incites a high-speed chase with the police, leading to a severe crash that leaves Joe temporarily unconscious.

Upon regaining consciousness, Joe witnesses a cop car engulfed in flames and manages to escape. However, when discovering Emma's betrayal, a brutal confrontation ensues with Albert's thugs, leading to Joe's arrest.

With a shrewd deal from his father, Joe receives a reduced sentence of three years for his crimes. He is forced to grapple with the loss of his father while he is incarcerated.

After his release, Joe relocates to Ybor City, Florida, to manage Maso's rum operation. Here, he encounters Graciella, the sister of a Cuban businessman, and his feelings for her begin to blossom amidst a growing gang war.

As Joe seeks retribution against Albert’s men, the gang war intensifies, complicating his new life. He forms deeper connections in the underworld, particularly with Chief Irving Figgis, and begins plotting a new venture.

The KKK emerge as a new threat to Joe's thriving enterprises, employing intimidation tactics to undermine his efforts. Joe's attempts to negotiate peace ultimately fail, resulting in tragic violence.

The murder of a KKK leader by Dion escalates the fallout, complicating Joe's personal and professional life. This incident forces Joe to confront his past while grappling with the dangers in his current world.

In a shocking twist, Joe finds out that his former love, Emma, is still alive. However, her admission that she never loved him leaves Joe heartbroken and questioning his past decisions.

As Joe and Graciella start a new life in Miami, tragedy strikes when Irving, now driven by grief, seeks revenge on Joe. The resulting confrontation leads to a heartbreaking loss, leaving Joe to raise their son alone.

Left to raise his son Tomas, Joe reflects on his tumultuous journey filled with love, loss, and lessons learned. He vows to nurture his son in hopes of a brighter future while keeping the memory of those lost alive.