In the Land of Saints and Sinners

Set in 1974 Ireland, the narrative unfolds outside a Belfast pub, where Dorieann McCann (played by Kerry Condon), Conor McGrath (Conor MacNeill), and Seamus McKenna (Seamus O'Hara) from the IRA are positioned, anticipating the arrival of two individuals. McKenna strategically places another vehicle in front of the establishment and sets up a bomb with a timing device. As they wait, a reflection reveals to McCann a woman and her three kids approaching the pub. An altercation between two of the boys over schoolbooks causes a delay in front of the pub. Concerned, McCann exits their vehicle, urgently advising the woman to hurry away with her children, thereby drawing attention. The woman and McCann exchange significant looks, with the woman grasping the impending danger. Regrettably, the explosion occurs too soon, claiming the lives of the woman, her children, and the pub's occupants. Left with no alternatives, McCann and her associates flee, change vehicles, incinerating the initial one, and inadvertently demolish a sign while navigating back roads. This sign bears the name of the town where they plan to lay low as they wait for the situation to cool down.

WEST COAST DONEGAL

At the edge of a cliff, Finbar Murphy (portrayed by Liam Neeson) and the local police chief Vinnie O'Shea (Ciarán Hinds) are engaged in a friendly shooting competition, using Murphy's shotgun to hit tin cans as their targets. Murphy emerges victorious in their wager, and O'Shea grudgingly settles the bet. Amidst playful banter, O'Shea accuses Murphy of exploitation. Their conversation shifts to literature, with Murphy sharing that he has moved on from reading "Gulliver's Travels" to exploring the works of Dostoevsky. Subsequently, O'Shea inspects the town sign that has been vandalized, the same one McCann and her group had damaged. A debate ensues between the two regarding the hue of the vehicle paint found on the damaged sign.

On the journey back, O'Shea engages in light-hearted flirtation with his neighbor, Rita (Niamh Cusack). Discovering a foliage branch on his car, O'Shea recognizes it as a clandestine signal indicating an upcoming assignment. Inside his car, Murphy discovers an envelope in the glove compartment containing a photograph of his next target, Bart McGuiness.

While driving, Murphy tunes into a radio broadcast reporting on the tragic bombing that claimed six lives, including three children. Later, Murphy enters a bar, settles with a drink and a book, and observes McGuiness performing a song.

The narrative transitions to the next day, with Murphy driving to a secluded woodland area. There, he meets Kevin (Jack Gleeson), a fellow assassin. The trunk reveals a bound McGuiness, who is then instructed by Murphy to walk into the forest with a small tree. Following him, Murphy hands McGuiness a shovel and commands him to dig.

Eventually, Murphy signals to McGuiness that it's time to stop and then produces an egg timer, setting it for one minute. He offers McGuiness this final minute to express any last words or appeals for mercy. However, McGuiness declines, observing the numerous freshly planted saplings around them and deducing that each marks a grave. "You've certainly been active," he remarks to Murphy. Acknowledging his own past misdeeds and recognizing their eventual consequences, McGuiness admits he anticipated such an end, despite his efforts to reform and contribute positively to the community. With resignation, he accepts his fate, noting, "This marks the end for individuals like us."

As his last act, McGuiness imparts a piece of wisdom to Murphy, urging him to engage in benevolent acts before meeting a similar fate. When the timer rings, Murphy, with shotgun in hand, hesitates as McGuiness starts to sing, but ultimately, he executes the deed. After completing the grim task of burying McGuiness and planting a tree over his grave, Murphy convenes with his contact, Robert McQue (Colm Meaney), to collect his payment. During this meeting, Murphy announces his retirement, suggesting that all forthcoming assignments be redirected to Kevin. He muses about possibly cultivating a garden, leaving Robert disconcerted. While Robert acknowledges Kevin's capabilities, he also recognizes his impetuous and discourteous nature. Despite his reservations, Robert accepts Murphy's decision with a mixture of respect and reluctance.

In a parting exchange, Murphy inquires if Robert will miss him, to which Robert dryly responds, "As much as a headache."

Returning home, Murphy stows away his earnings and places his shotgun on a shelf, feeling a sense of relief at his departure from his previous life. He starts cleaning up his yard with the intention of cultivating it, catching the attention of his neighbor Rita. Subsequently, Murphy heads to the town and purchases an array of seeds from the local store.

That evening, he shares a meal with Rita, who offers him advice on gardening. During their conversation, Rita inquires about Murphy's late wife, Margaret, prompting him to reflect on their first encounter at the bookstore where she was employed—a moment that ignited his passion for reading. Murphy affectionately compares Rita to Margaret, but then cringes, realizing his comment might be inappropriate, especially with Rita's ailing husband in the adjacent room.

Post-dinner, Murphy encounters young Moya (Michelle Gleeson) fishing on a bridge. He tries to assist her, but inadvertently causes a box of food supplies to tumble into the water. Moya's distress and visible bruises on her neck raise Murphy's concerns.

Later, at the local tavern, Murphy treats O'Shea and his wife to drinks. He encounters the bartender, Sinead (Sarah Greene), who is Moya's mother, and mentions the incident with Moya. Sinead's reaction to the news visibly disturbs Murphy.

Outside the pub, he spots Moya attempting to flee on a horse. He advises her against it, noting her mother's likely distress and the horse's inability to navigate in the dark. Moya's fear is palpable, yet she remains silent about her reasons. When Murphy escorts her home, they are confronted by Curtis June (Dominic Eastwood), whose demeanor towards Moya is hostile. Murphy instantly feels a profound dislike for Curtis, suspecting he is the source of Moya's bruises.

In the morning, Curtis enters a barn on Sinead's land, which serves as a hideout for McCann, his sister, and her associates. He delivers food provided by Moya, but the group is dissatisfied with the provisions. McCann admonishes Curtis for his visibility, urging him to procure their necessities discreetly.

Murphy visits once more, bringing groceries to compensate for the earlier loss, which he gives to Sinead. He notices Moya clutching an object, and after persistent inquiry, she reveals a bullet marked with a cross, indicating Curtis's threat to silence her about the maltreatment. Murphy, sensing her distress, asks if she's hiding something. At this point, Curtis returns, claims the groceries Murphy brought, and departs, leaving Sinead visibly displeased. She confides in Murphy that Curtis's marriage to McCann ended with McCann's spouse's death, suggesting that Curtis, though kin, is unwelcome.

Seeking to address the situation, Murphy consults Robert for approval to eliminate Curtis. Robert, understanding the gravity, declines, pointing out the local implications and Curtis's potential IRA connections. He advises involving the police. However, Murphy argues that Moya's fear would prevent her from disclosing the abuse, allowing Curtis's behavior to persist. Robert disassociates himself from Murphy's plan.

Murphy observes Curtis taking a swim in the sea, then trails him on the road, offering him a lift and a cigarette. Stopping the car, Murphy reveals his shotgun to Curtis and then incapacitates him with a blow. He transports the unconscious Curtis to a wooded area. Upon opening the car trunk, Curtis, armed with a knife, attacks Murphy. In the ensuing struggle, Murphy manages to shoot Curtis in the leg as he attempts to escape. Curtis pleads for mercy, promising to exit the town, but as Murphy attempts another shot, the shotgun malfunctions. At this critical moment, Kevin intervenes, fatally shooting Curtis. Grateful, Kevin promises Murphy a favor in return.

While Kevin prepares Curtis's grave, he recounts an anecdote about a previous victim who dug his own grave to delay his fate. Kevin finds humor in the grim tale, but Murphy, disturbed, questions Kevin's insensitivity towards their lethal profession. Kevin dismissively continues his task and disposes of Curtis's body.

Later, at the pub, Kevin's frustration grows as he loses at bingo, casually recounting stories of his victims' final moments. Disgusted by Kevin's callousness, Murphy confronts him, emphasizing his own approach to granting his victims a semblance of respect in their final moments. Challenged by Kevin on the number of lives he's taken, Murphy responds with a physical rebuke and exits the establishment.

Awaiting her brother's return, McCann is unaware that he won't be coming back. When McGrath and McKenna bring her a newspaper revealing their exposure and suggest fleeing, she insists on staying until she finds her brother. Her search leads her to discover his revolver, which is short one bullet.

Seeking answers, McCann confronts Sinead about her missing brother. Moya's reaction of relief does not escape McCann, who then aggressively interrogates Sinead, who speculates that Curtis might have drowned during his routine swim.

At the beach, a moment of reflection overwhelms McCann as she observes a happy family, reminiscing about her own family's destruction due to violence.

Meanwhile, Murphy and O'Shea engage in target shooting at the cliffs. Desperate for information, McCann contacts her connections, which direct her to Robert.

Finding Robert at his residence, McCann witnesses him accidentally drop a bullet that Murphy had given him. Her suspicions rise when she connects the bullet to her brother's missing ammunition. Confronted, Robert implicates Murphy, distancing himself from the situation. However, as Robert reaches for his weapon, McCann reacts swiftly, killing him. Hearing Robert's mother's voice, McCann assures her of her safety, asking her to remain in her room until she departs. Overwhelmed with fear and sorrow, the mother obliges. McCann then takes money from Robert's desk and leaves with McGrath and McKenna.

During another dinner with Rita, Murphy receives a gardening book from her. Soon after, Kevin arrives to inform Murphy about Robert's fate. They visit Robert's home, where his mother recounts a woman murdering her son. While disposing of some evidence and Kevin pilfering a few records, Murphy advises her to contact the authorities.

Meanwhile, McKenna enters a shop, claiming to be Murphy's nephew, and inquires for directions to Murphy's residence. He then drives away after crossing paths with O'Shea, who remarks to the shopkeeper his unawareness of Murphy having a nephew.

Concurrently, McCann and her group infiltrate Murphy's abode to set up an ambush.

While Murphy and Kevin are en route back home, Murphy spots an unusual light inside his house. Suspecting danger, he instructs Kevin to stop the car at a safe distance, and they observe the situation from a hilltop with a rifle. Throughout the night, Kevin shares his backstory about being recruited by Robert for his combat skills demonstrated during a bar altercation, highlighting the allure of easy money. Murphy reflects on his own past, acknowledging how the war altered him and led to his subsequent life of violence, especially after returning to a deceased wife and little else, which pushed him into Robert's service.

Time elapses, and the standoff continues without any action from either party. McGrath concludes that Murphy is aware of their presence inside his residence, prompting McCann to take a provocative step. She exits the house and commences vandalizing Murphy's vehicle by smashing its windows. This act catches Rita's attention, who steps outside, only to be dismissed by McCann as an interfering neighbor. McCann instructs Rita to relay a message to Murphy, accusing him of an unforgivable act. When Rita retorts, McCann renders her unconscious. Following this, McCann's group departs the scene. Subsequently, Murphy and Kevin assist Rita back into her home and seek medical attention for her.

Later, Murphy and Kevin retreat to Kevin's abode, surrounded by numerous records and a guitar. Kevin expresses aspirations of composing his music and dreams of a carefree existence in California. Murphy, spotting remnants of a burnt newspaper, ventures into town to acquire a new edition. Upon reading an article about the bombing, he identifies his adversaries. An encounter with O'Shea unfolds, during which they discuss Robert's homicide and Murphy's supposed "nephew."

Murphy then visits Sinead's residence, peering into the barn where he discovers bomb-making supplies and several grenades, choosing to take one.

At a local rugby game, internal discord surfaces within McCann's group, with some members advocating for escape to avoid capture. Despite their concerns, McCann resolutely opposes abandoning their mission or leaving without exacting revenge for her brother, questioning their commitment to their cause. She vigilantly scans the crowd for Murphy, anticipating his eventual appearance at the event.

Murphy spots her and attempts to ambush her as she exits a

McCann, along with McKenna and McGrath, make their entrance. McCann decides she'll enter first, with McGrath to follow, carrying a bomb

In a fierce exchange of gunfire, Murphy injures McGrath while Kevin grievously wounds McCann. As Kevin succumbs to his injuries, expressing a wish to see California, McCann delivers a fatal shot to his head and then limps away.

Simultaneously, Murphy grapples with McGrath for control over a knife and the grenade Murphy had acquired earlier. In the struggle, McGrath activates the grenade, but Murphy manages to maintain its integrity. Eventually, Murphy turns McGrath's knife against him, resulting in his death. Murphy then secures the grenade by reinserting the pin.

Elsewhere, McKenna attempts to hurl the bomb into the bar but is thwarted by Murphy's gunfire, causing him to drop the bomb at the entrance where it detonates, killing McKenna and damaging the establishment without harming others.

After the chaos, Murphy retrieves his shotgun, which McGrath had taken. McCann fires at Murphy but misses with her final bullet and then escapes into a field. Murphy pursues her despite O'Shea's intervention.

Their confrontation leads them to a church, where McCann, resigned to her fate, challenges Murphy to end her life. Murphy refrains, suggesting she seek reconciliation with God instead. McCann asserts her clear conscience, justified by divine understanding of her actions. Reflecting on similar life choices, Murphy acknowledges his own reconciliation with his past. As McCann succumbs to her injuries, lamenting her brother's loneliness, Murphy reassures her of their imminent reunion. McCann then passes away from her injuries.

Murphy transports her remains to the woods, laying her to rest beside her brother, where he plants yet another tree.

Returning home, Murphy collects a few personal items, acknowledging that his place is no longer within the village. He offers Rita his apologies for the turmoil he's caused and tries to return the gardening book she gifted him. Rita insists he keep the book, encouraging him to start anew wherever he heads next. They say farewell on amicable terms.

O'Shea ensures the town's sign is mended. In his police vehicle, he discovers a parcel left by Murphy. Unwrapping it, he finds a copy of Dostoevsky's "Crime and Punishment," a subtle nod from Murphy. With a mix of melancholy and a slight smile, O'Shea turns to the first page and begins to read.

In Kevin's car, Murphy departs from the village, seeking a semblance of tranquility for whatever remains of his life.