True North

True North

Year: 2006

Runtime: 96 mins

Language: English

Director: Steve Hudson

Drama

The crew of a bankrupt Scottish trawler turn to smuggling illegal immigrants over the stormy waters of the North Sea.

Warning: spoilers below!

Haven’t seen True North yet? This summary contains major spoilers. Bookmark the page, watch the movie, and come back for the full breakdown. If you're ready, scroll on and relive the story!

Timeline – True North (2006)

Trace every key event in True North (2006) with our detailed, chronological timeline. Perfect for unpacking nonlinear stories, spotting hidden connections, and understanding how each scene builds toward the film’s climax. Whether you're revisiting or decoding for the first time, this timeline gives you the full picture.

1

Farmers from Fujian recruit Snakehead with false stories

In Fujian, a group of farmers approach a Snakehead, crafting stories meant to gain sympathy in the West. They spin plausible but deceitful tales to secure passage and aid once they reach abroad. This prologue sets up the desperation that drives later actions.

Fujian, China
2

Providence docks at Ostend; Skipper stays ashore

The Providence, a Scottish fishing trawler from Peterhead, lands at Ostend, Belgium, and all crew except the Skipper disembark. Seán, Riley, and the cook head to an all-night café, while the Skipper remains aboard. The separation hints at looming decisions about illegal smuggling.

Ostend, Belgium
3

Seán meets Pol to discuss a smuggling deal

Seán phones and then meets Pol, a dockside contact, in a warehouse on the pier. Pol offers Seán a large sum to smuggle a group of Chinese immigrants into the UK instead of cigarettes. Seán is tempted but wary, balancing his debt with the risk.

Ostend, Belgium (dockside warehouse)
4

Seán agrees to the human cargo plan

Facing debt to his father and mortgage pressure, Seán reluctantly agrees to smuggle the Chinese immigrants. He accepts the money and joins the plan, which places him in conflict with the ship's crew. The decision deepens the moral stakes of the voyage.

Ostend / aboard Providence
5

Refugees secretly boarded; conspirators avoid Skipper and cook

Riley returns to find the refugees secretly aboard the Providence. Seán and Riley decide not to inform the Skipper or the cook about the stowaways. The crew's moral line blurs as the voyage continues.

Onboard Providence
6

Su Li hides on board; escapes the hold

A 12-year-old Chinese girl, Su Li, sneaks away from the main hold and hides in another part of the ship. She begins stealing food to survive, moving unseen among the crew. Her presence gradually becomes a hidden pressure on the voyage.

Onboard Providence
7

The cook notices missing food

The cook discovers food has gone missing, though he does not realize the source. Su Li's resourcefulness puts her at risk, while the other men remain in the dark. Tension builds as the hidden stowaways threaten to be exposed.

Onboard Providence
8

A dangerous voyage under strain; catches fail

Seán insists they cannot return home with an empty catch, fearing mortgage and arrest. The nets come up near empty several times, and the hold grows more wretched. The crew's desperation deepens the ethical cost of their choices.

At sea
9

A stowaway dies; truth climbs to the surface

One of the Chinese stowaways dies, triggering Riley's decision to tell the Skipper. The revelation forces a confrontation between Seán and the Skipper about the plan. The moral tension shifts toward an irreversible decision.

Onboard Providence
10

Skipper confronts Seán; decides to steer home

The Skipper browbeats Seán, realizing the scheme endangers everyone and threatens their livelihoods. He resolves to return to Scotland, and in a fatal moment hands the wheel to Seán. This marks a pivotal turn toward the voyage's final reckoning.

Onboard Providence
11

Skipper drowns the immigrants

Believing return will mean arrest and ruin, the Skipper drowns the immigrants aboard the ship. His decision sacrifices the vulnerable group to protect himself and the vessel. The act foreshadows the grim moral collapse at sea.

Onboard Providence
12

Nets are full; corpses discovered

After the killings, Seán and Riley pull the nets and find they are full of corpses. The gruesome discovery horrifies the crew and intensifies the sense of catastrophe. The scene underscores the consequences of their earlier choices.

Onboard Providence
13

The cook's resolve; Skipper dies at his hands

The cook assaults the Skipper with a chain, killing him to prevent the captain from harming Su Li. The act closes the captain's cycle of moral compromise and adds another layer of tragedy. The crew realizes the price of the voyage's choices.

Onboard Providence
14

Ending in Peterhead

Riley and Su Li stand at a bus stop in Peterhead as the voyage ends. Su Li boards a coach, carrying the large sum of money hidden in her bag. The final image carries a sense of unresolved futures and lingering consequences.

Peterhead, Scotland

Last Updated: October 09, 2025 at 15:07

Mobile App Preview

Coming soon on iOS and Android

The Plot Explained Mobile App

From blockbusters to hidden gems — dive into movie stories anytime, anywhere. Save your favorites, discover plots faster, and never miss a twist again.

Sign up to be the first to know when we launch. Your email stays private — always.

Unlock the Full Story of True North

Don't stop at just watching — explore True North in full detail. From the complete plot summary and scene-by-scene timeline to character breakdowns, thematic analysis, and a deep dive into the ending — every page helps you truly understand what True North is all about. Plus, discover what's next after the movie.

True North Summary

Read a complete plot summary of True North, including all key story points, character arcs, and turning points. This in-depth recap is ideal for understanding the narrative structure or reviewing what happened in the movie.

True North Summary

Characters, Settings & Themes in True North

Discover the characters, locations, and core themes that shape True North. Get insights into symbolic elements, setting significance, and deeper narrative meaning — ideal for thematic analysis and movie breakdowns.

Characters, Settings & Themes in True North

True North Spoiler-Free Summary

Get a quick, spoiler-free overview of True North that covers the main plot points and key details without revealing any major twists or spoilers. Perfect for those who want to know what to expect before diving in.

True North Spoiler-Free Summary

More About True North

Visit What's After the Movie to explore more about True North: box office results, cast and crew info, production details, post-credit scenes, and external links — all in one place for movie fans and researchers.

More About True North

Similar Movies to True North

Discover movies like True North that share similar genres, themes, and storytelling elements. Whether you’re drawn to the atmosphere, character arcs, or plot structure, these curated recommendations will help you explore more films you’ll love.