The film takes place in Northern Ireland's Maze Prison in 1981, set against the backdrop of the historical hunger strike led by Irish Republican inmates. The prisoners, bound by their loyalty to the Irish Republican Army (IRA), are vehement in their demand to be recognized as political prisoners, rather than criminals. The story explores the brutal reality of their incarceration, focusing on the inmates' use of their bodies as the last form of protest. They engage in the "blanket and no wash" protest, refusing to wear prison uniforms or bathe, as a way to assert their political status.

Central among the prisoners is the resolute and stoic Bobby Sands, one of the leaders of the hunger strike. As conditions in the prison worsen, tensions escalate. Prisoners and guards alike are mired in a cycle of harsh treatment and retaliatory violence. The story delves into the personal sacrifices of the prisoners, as well as the moral ambiguities confronted by both the incarcerated and their keepers. It examines the sheer force of human will and the complex intersection of political conviction with the most basic aspects of humanity. The narrative unfolds in a stark and deliberate pace, inviting audiences to reflect on the power of belief and the price of commitment to a cause.