In a small British town during the 1930s, a young man named Derek Bentley faces a life marked by adversity and misunderstanding. He suffers from an intellectual disability, which causes people to not take him seriously and makes him a victim of constant ridicule. Despite his limitations, he has a big heart and falls in love with a young woman named Edna, who sees beyond his condition and accepts him as he is.
One day, while in the company of a delinquent and older brother, Derek is drawn into a series of unfortunate events that culminate in a botched robbery. In the chaos, a shooting occurs, and Derek's decisions during the incident thrust him into the center of a fierce media controversy. The media exaggerate the facts, creating an image of him as a dangerous criminal, despite his true desire being simply to be accepted and loved.
Under the pressure of society and a judicial system that fails to understand his situation, Derek's story becomes a critique of prejudice and injustice, as he fights for his truth in a world that seems to be against him. As the trial unfolds, the film tackles issues of morality, responsibility, and the struggle for personal dignity, taking the audience on an emotional rollercoaster that challenges our perception of right and wrong.