A young man is raised in a secluded Ukrainian village, navigating the challenges of adolescence during the tumultuous 1990s. Once a petty thug and delinquent, his life takes a dark turn when a rival gang, led by a notorious figure called Skull, threatens his family, compelling him to align with the local Ukrainian mafia for protection. In this dangerous environment, he earns the nickname "Rhino," bestowed by his boss due to his stubborn and aggressive nature.
As Rhino acclimates to the underworld, he eagerly embraces his role as hired muscle, getting involved in various criminal activities including protection rackets, abductions, arson, and even targeted killings. His efforts pay off, as he secures a regular income, rises to power, and marries his pregnant girlfriend, played by Alina Zievakova, in a grand wedding celebration that marks the high point of his early adulthood.
As Rhino transitions into his thirties, he and his gang operate with a degree of autonomy, receiving minimal oversight from the larger mafia organization as long as they consistently share their profits. However, disillusionment sets in as the gang's brutality escalates, leading to a deterioration in his relationship with his wife and child.
Things take a drastic turn when a special prosecutor, Ruslan Koval, arrives from the capital with plans to target Rhino and other mafia associates. He proposes a plea deal for Rhino in exchange for his cooperation as an informant. Instead of complying, Rhino is coerced by his own organization to assault the prosecutor and eliminate incriminating records. Following a debauched celebration of their success, tragedy strikes: his wife and child leave him and are subsequently killed in a tragic car accident.
Plagued by guilt and facing escalating paranoia, Rhino descends further into violence and drug addiction, using narcotics to numb his pain. During a chaotic high, he lashed out against members of Skull's gang, leading to tensions that culminate in a brutal abduction by Skull, who tortures him by nailing his feet to the barn floor. In a moment of desperation, Rhino manages to escape after killing Skull.
After a hospital stint, Rhino realizes he is now a fugitive, with many of his gang members either gone or dead, their illicit earnings stolen. In a quest for survival, he meets with a mafia associate to acquire cash and a firearm, which he uses to eliminate Skull's remaining henchmen driving his stolen vehicle. Seeking refuge, he travels to Germany and takes a laborer's position, only to encounter one of his missing comrades. Unbeknownst to him, this friend is part of a hit squad. In a tense confrontation, Rhino kills the hired guns and spares his friend, who agrees to lie about the incident.
Haunted by memories of his deceased wife, Rhino ultimately returns to Ukraine, where he confesses his life story to an enigmatic figure, the film’s narrative device. This man rekindles a painful memory: Rhino recalls having murdered a child while dealing with Skull's associates. This revelation strikes a chord, prompting Rhino to reflect on the endless cycle of violence that has consumed his life. In a fit of rage and despair, he incites a confrontation with thugs on the street, resulting in a fatal stabbing as he laments the countless lives lost due to his choices. Mortally wounded, he crawls towards scattered family photographs, embracing them in his final moments as he slips away from the harsh realities of his existence.
