The Finishers

Paul Amblard wishes for a second child, and Julien's arrival reshapes the family dynamic. The household shifts between Paul’s repair work, his firefighting volunteering, and Claire’s dedicated care for Julien. The weight of Julien's disability frames every decision the family makes.

As a baby, Julien can't walk and the family's daily routines adapt around his needs. Claire becomes fiercely protective of Julien's health, while Paul retreats into work and volunteering, trying to keep things steady. The balance of love, fear, and responsibility settles into their new normal.

Julien's wheelchair becomes a daily constant that frames the family's routines. The fear of health setbacks shadows each step, yet they strive to keep Julien engaged and hopeful. Small, hopeful moments become the thread that holds their balance together.

Julien, now 17, discovers that his father once competed in an Ironman race twenty-five years earlier, a revelation that opens a bold possibility. The idea that they could race together using adapted gear begins to illuminate a path forward. The revelation plants a seed of shared purpose that challenges their quiet routine.

Paul, older and worn by years with little progress, rejects the idea as reckless. He fears risking Julien's health and upsetting the fragile family balance. Julien's persistence begins to soften his resolve as hope returns to the family.

Claire vocalizes concerns that the plan could jeopardize Julien's health and destabilize the family. She wants to preserve the fragile harmony they've built and fears a dangerous adventure. Her stance deepens the emotional stakes for everyone.

Gradually, Julien's determination and a growing mutual trust draw Paul back toward the idea. They decide to begin training together, a step that marks a shift from fear to cautious optimism. The choice signals the start of a journey that will redefine their relationship.

The training becomes more than physical prep; it becomes emotional healing, bridging years of fear, pride, and distance. They relearn to rely on each other and share small victories along the way. The process itself becomes a test of trust and resilience.

With the plan taking shape, they commit to the Ironman challenge while balancing safety and ambition. The family prepares physically and emotionally, recognizing that the journey could redefine them. Hope retakes space in their home as they move toward race day.

Early in the race, Julien sustains an injury, threatening to derail the plan and expose the fragility of their dream. The setback tests their willingness to push forward and adapt. Still, they keep moving, leaning on each other for support.

During the marathon leg, Paul collapses, underscoring the physical toll of the challenge. The moment forces them to confront danger and reassess what is possible. Yet their partnership endures, and they choose to press on together.

Against the odds, they support each other every step, turning adversity into a shared act of endurance. The finish line becomes a testament to perseverance and the rekindled trust between father and son. Their determination reframes the race as a journey of emotional healing as much as sport.

They cross the finish line before the cutoff, sealing not just a sport achievement but a renewed relationship. Julien and Paul choose to believe in each other again, a quiet victory that reshapes their future. The moment lingers as a reminder of what can be achieved when love, grit, and resolve unite.

The film closes with a compassionate tone, honoring the realities of disability while celebrating the stubborn hope that arises when a family rebuilds what fear once endangered. The outcome emphasizes that healing can come through shared effort and new-found resolve.

Julien and Paul’s journey reframes disability from a limit into a shared challenge that strengthens family bonds. The narrative leaves a lasting impression of what can be achieved when love and grit meet a hard-won trust. It offers a hopeful blueprint for future generations.