A rugged newcomer arrives at a village in Ireland's County Mayo, wowing townspeople with a fantastic tale of violence. Claiming to have recently murdered his good-for-nothing father (Niall MacGinnis), Christy Mahon (Gary Raymond) becomes an object of local fascination. But Christy is disgraced when it turns out that the older man is injured, yet very much alive. Trying to rebuild his reputation as a tough guy, Christy commits another act of brutality.