Set against the rugged backdrop of the Australian outback in the 1880s, this gripping film unfolds the tragic aftermath of the Hopkins family's gruesome rape and murder, an atrocity attributed to the notorious Burns brothers gang. The story kicks off in a brothel, where a chaotic shootout erupts between the police and Charlie Burns alongside his gang. The violence culminates in the obliteration of all gang members, leaving only Charlie and his younger sibling, Mikey.
In a desperate bid for justice, Captain Stanley (Ray Winstone) offers Charlie a chilling ultimatum: he and Mikey will be spared for their crimes if Charlie can manage to kill their older brother, Arthur (played by Danny Huston), a mercurial and vicious figure dubbed "The Dog Man" by local Aboriginal tribes. Failing to comply within nine days will result in Mikey's execution on Christmas Day.
As the narrative progresses, we uncover Captain Stanley's motivations—he seeks to tame the brutal Australian landscape for his frail wife, Martha (portrayed by Emily Watson), and to rectify the haunting memories of the Hopkins family, who were their friends. With a cloud of discontent growing amongst the townspeople due to Stanley's deal with Charlie, tension escalates.
Just when matters seem dire, Stanley's superior, Eden Fletcher (played by David Wenham), demands punishment for Mikey—one hundred lashes for the crimes of the Hopkins case. Stanley is horrified not only by the brutality but because this act threatens his agreement with Charlie and their safety. In a heartbreaking turn of events, Mikey endures a brutal flogging that leaves him gravely injured, leading Stanley to stand up against the mob, only to be overruled when Martha demands retribution.
While all this unfolds, Charlie embarks on a long journey to confront Arthur, grappling with his own demons. Along the way, he encounters Jellon Lamb (played by John Hurt), a bounty hunter chasing the Burns brothers, whom Charlie soon incapacitates. After a brutal confrontation with a group of Aboriginal men, Charlie awakens in Arthur's camp located in desolate caves. Despite many chances to eliminate his brother, Charlie hesitates.
Meanwhile, chaos breaks out as Sergeant Lawrence and his men perpetrate violence against a group of Aborigines, eventually leading to a deadly confrontation between them and Arthur's gang. As the narrative builds to a ferocious climax, Charlie resolves to rescue Mikey and enlists Arthur's help in a daring jailbreak. Tragically, their escape ends in heartbreak as Mikey, still reeling from the flogging, dies in Charlie's arms.
The stakes rise when Captain Stanley and Martha, who have become increasingly isolated, sit down for an unsuspecting Christmas dinner. However, the semblance of peace shatters abruptly as Arthur and Samuel burst in, unleashing chaos and brutality upon Stanley and Martha. Amid this horror, Charlie confronts the tragic consequences of their actions, ultimately choosing to honor both his brother and the bond they shared.
As the film culminates, Charlie finds Arthur succumbing to his wounds in the serene desolation of the outback. In a poignant moment, amidst the blood-red sunset, Arthur acknowledges his brother’s resolve, leaving Charlie to reflect on their shared past and uncertain future.
