The Firm

Set in the 1980s, a period notorious for football hooliganism and street-level rivalries in the UK. The imminent European Championship hosted in West Germany shapes the calendar and heightens the stakes for the firms. The era’s social atmosphere and media attention amplify the violence and bravado surrounding the gangs.

The film unfolds in urban England, with key scenes around the Tower Hotel in London where rival firms meet. Street clashes and gritty pubs color the ICC’s world, reflecting a working-class underworld. The looming European Championship in West Germany provides a high-stakes backdrop that intensifies rivalries and the resolve of Bexy and his crew.

🤝 Loyalty

Bexy’s leadership hinges on forging loyalty across rival groups and maintaining a feared, admired image. The ICC relies on shared rituals and the promise of status to keep members aligned, even as violence looms. The film examines how loyalty can bind people to a destructive path and justify dangerous actions.

💥 Violence

Violence provides a perverse sense of power and a 'buzz' that drives Bexy and his followers. The clashes with the Buccaneers reveal a mix of bravado, strategy, and fear, culminating in a fatal encounter. The narrative questions whether such violence creates heroes or merely sustains a brutal tradition.

🌍 Legacy & Perception

The closing moments frame Bexy as a legend whose death fuels a self-perpetuating myth among his peers. Family and community simultaneously view him as a joke and a visionary, highlighting the gap between personal reality and public image. The film shows how media and rivalries perpetuate the myth of the working-class hero.