In an industrial town in northern England, a young boy named Billy Casper struggles to find his place in a world that seems to ignore him. Trapped in a dysfunctional family, under the pressure of school, and facing the turmoil of adolescence, his life appears filled with hopelessness. However, everything changes when he discovers a wild young hawk that he decides to train in secret. This transformative encounter gives him a new perspective and a purpose: to teach and care for his new feathered friend.
As Billy immerses himself in the art of falconry, his bond with the hawk becomes a metaphor for freedom and self-determination amid the constraints of his environment. The film depicts his struggle against adversity, from constant conflicts with his mother and brother to bullying at school and the rigid expectations of his teachers.
Billy's relationship with the hawk inspires him to dream of a different future, while the harsh reality of his life looms over him. Through poignant imagery and a simple yet powerful narrative, the story explores universal themes such as the search for identity, the connection with nature, and the fight for personal freedom. However, fate has its own plans, and like the hawk he loves, Billy must confront the harsh truth of his existence and the meaning of true freedom.