Mondocane

On the beach outside a favela, young boys Pietro and Cristian find a crucifix floating in the ocean while fishing. Cristian has a seizure during their time together and is cared for by Pietro, establishing their close bond early on. This moment introduces the boys' connection to the sea and their environment, setting the tone for their adventures.

Pietro reveals to Cristian that he has been given a task by the local gang called the Ants, made up mainly of children. They decide to burn down a pet store called Mondocane as part of this task. That night, they execute the arson together, marking their initiation into the gang's activities.

Police officer Katia arrives at the scene of the burnt pet store and begins an investigation. She interviews Sabrina, a girl who often visited the store to see the dogs, uncovering clues about the gang's activities. The investigation hints at growing police interest in the gang's illegal actions.

Pietro tries to join the gang, demanding that Cristian be allowed to join as well. The gang rejects Cristian due to his seizure disorder, but Pietro shares the rejection with Cristian. Meanwhile, they mourn the sudden death of the old man they live with and decide to find the Ants to prove themselves.

After witnessing law enforcement rounding up stray children, Pietro and Cristian are brought before the Ants and Hothead. They are allowed into the gang on the condition they assist in breaking into a wealthy home. Inside, Cristian identifies the homeowner hiding in a closet, and both boys are officially made members.

Pietro and Cristian meet Sabrina at a beach frequented by the wealthy. She recognizes where they come from but agrees to keep their secret if they take her to visit her parents' grave in a restricted area. They agree to her condition, strengthening their bond.

The gang plans to kill a former member who betrayed them. Cristian shoots the man multiple times during the mission, while Pietro hesitates and does not fire his gun. Afterward, Hothead confides that he knows Pietro didn't shoot, revealing internal tensions within the gang.

Pietro takes Sabrina to her parents' grave while Cristian heads back to the gang hideout. Pietro learns he was missing for a long time and that a gang member who was searching for him has been caught by the police, heightening the danger around him.

The police interrogate a captured gang member before transferring him to a higher-security facility. The gang stages a rescue attempt, which fails when the convoy is revealed to be empty. The captured gang member escapes, then jumps to his death from a high window during the chaos.

Following the chaos, Hothead orders Pietro to prove his loyalty by assassinating Katia. Pietro waits on the sidewalk, intending to shoot her, but sees Sabrina in her car. Choosing her safety over violence, he refrains from firing, leading the Ants to attack both him and Sabrina, killing Katia.

After the police kill Katia, Pietro and Sabrina flee to the ocean, running from the gang. They make a narrow escape, with Sabrina managing to get away by boat while Pietro hides in a warehouse, seeking safety from the gang's wrath.

Cristian finds Pietro hiding in a warehouse during a confrontation with the gang. When Cristian experiences a seizure, Hothead mistakenly believes Pietro is injured and rushes to him, only to discover it is Pietro in Cristian’s motorcycle helmet. Pietro shoots Hothead and escapes onto a rail car, disappearing from the city.