The Boxer

Danny arrives back in Belfast after a fourteen-year prison sentence. He bears the weight of disillusionment with the ongoing sectarian violence and begins to consider a life away from the Troubles. This homecoming sets the stage for his attempt to rebuild his life.

Danny rekindles his relationship with Maggie, who is now married to an imprisoned IRA man and bound by the IRA code to stay faithful to him. Their renewed closeness complicates loyalties within the community and foreshadows upcoming friction with IRA leadership. This rekindled connection anchors the personal stakes of Danny's pursuit of peace.

Danny befriends his hard-drinking trainer Ike, who sees potential in him to mentor local youths. They plan to open a non-sectarian boxing club in an old gym, aiming to give boys in the area a constructive outlet. The project marks Danny's first concrete step toward a normal life.

While renovating the gym, Danny uncovers a hidden cache of Semtex explosives beneath the stage. He discards the cache by throwing it into the river, removing a dangerous weapon from the area. The act signals his rejection of violent tactics and his desire for peace.

Harry, a cold-hearted IRA lieutenant, increases his harassment of Danny to undermine Joe Hamill's pacifist leadership. The intimidation sets the tone for a broader clash between personal loyalties and the community's peace efforts. The seeds of tragedy are sown in this confrontation.

The assassination of the friendly police officer who donated boxing equipment inflames the crowd and triggers a riot at one of Danny's matches. The violence spills into the streets, making the club a flashpoint in the community. Danny's attempt to build a better life is threatened by the chaos around him.

During the riot, Maggie's young son Liam inadvertently ignites the gym, burning it down in a misguided belief that Danny and Maggie will elope. The destruction devastates Danny's new life project and tests his commitment to peace. The loss intensifies the personal costs of the conflict.

In a boxing match against a Nigerian boxer, Danny consciously throws in his towel, choosing mercy over victory. The act is broadcast on TV, highlighting his compassionate stance and the emotional toll of the violence around him. Ike and Harry later react to this moment in different ways.

A confrontation between Ike and Harry ends with Harry fatally shooting Ike. The murder exposes the reach of Harry's brutality and deepens Danny's peril within the IRA. This loss pushes Danny closer to seeking an escape from the cycle of violence.

Harry and other IRA members kidnap Danny, intending to execute him as a rogue element. The situation tightens the noose around Danny and raises the stakes for his future. The community braces for a deadly confrontation.

In a last-minute twist, IRA gunmen shoot Harry instead of Danny, eliminating the rogue agent. The act clears the way for Danny's survival and signals a possible reconciliation within the group. The moment reframes Danny's odds of leaving violence behind.

With Harry dead, Maggie collects Danny and their son Liam, and they drive away to start a life together. The family seeks a future free from the Troubles and violence. The ending marks a cautious hope for peace amid lingering scars.