Little Odessa 1995

As the narrative progresses, we delve into the intricate dynamics of the Shapira family. Here, Arkady faces the harsh reality of his terminally ill wife, Irina, whose passing looms ever closer. Their two sons, Joshua and Reuben, grapple with their personal battles in a world fraught with conflict. Joshua, a hitman for the Russian-Jewish mafia in Brooklyn, finds himself torn between his allegiance to the underworld and a yearning to mend the fractious ties with his estranged family.

Following a contract killing, Joshua receives orders to eliminate an Iranian jeweler in Brighton Beach—a task he takes on reluctantly. While he waits outside his family’s apartment, he is recognized by an old friend, Sasha, who later informs Reuben about Joshua’s presence. This discovery sparks a series of events that will reverberate throughout their lives.

In a bid to reconnect, Reuben visits Joshua’s hotel to deliberate on a plan for a future rendezvous. Meanwhile, suspicious eyes are on Joshua as Sasha confronts him at the boardwalk, heightening the tension. In a desperate attempt to keep his identity secret, Joshua resorts to threats to gain information from Viktor and Yuri at a local car repair shop; however, they refuse to help him. Struggling to keep himself hidden, Joshua commits another violent act by killing a man who recognizes him, inciting the fury of local boss Boris Volkoff.

Amidst these events, Joshua reconnects with his ex-girlfriend, Alla Shustervich, and they share a night at the movies with Reuben. Yet, this moment of respite doesn’t last long. Arkady, appalled by Joshua’s actions, condemns him as a murderer, leading to a painful estrangement from the family.

Seeking comfort, Joshua uncovers his father’s infidelity and uses this revelation to ease his dying mother’s suffering. Irina pleads with him to join the family at his grandmother’s birthday celebration, a choice that unknowingly sets into motion a tragic string of events. The kidnapping of the Iranian jeweler culminates in murder, witnessed by Reuben, forever altering their family dynamics.

The repercussions are severe, with Arkady discovering Reuben’s absence from school and responding with harsh discipline. This ignites a confrontation that reveals the brothers’ suffering and anger simmering beneath the surface. As the situation escalates, Joshua is compelled to make an agonizing choice between protecting his father or saving himself during a tense standoff in a snowy field.

Ultimately, Arkady is left dealing with the agony of losing Irina, while Joshua must confront the reality of his moral standing. As Reuben rides through the streets on his bike—a stark reminder of the prior day’s tranquility—Volkoff’s henchmen ambush him, ominously declaring, “Joshua is as good as dead.” The mafia’s relentless pursuit pushes Joshua to find sanctuary with Alla, attempting to shield himself from the chaos unraveling around them.

While Volkoff’s men scour for Joshua, Reuben seeks Sasha to learn his brother’s location, boldly setting off on his bike to warn him. Tragically, his mission is cut short when one of the assassins spots Alla outside hanging laundry, leading to her brutal murder. Devastated, Reuben confronts the second attacker, defeating him in a violent battle.

Sasha, ever vigilant, arrives only to fatally misidentify Reuben as a threat, mistakenly shooting his own friend in a moment of panic. Overcome with guilt, he flees, leaving Reuben lifeless. When Joshua returns, he is met with the harrowing sight of his brother’s remains in the furnace—a haunting symbol of the deadly game that has engulfed their lives, leaving devastation in its wake.