Set in 1950s Pittsburgh, the story follows Troy Maxson, a former baseball player who now works as a garbage collector. Struggling with the limitations placed on him by a racially segregated society, Troy is bitter about missed opportunities and channels his frustrations into both his household and job. Troy lives with his wife Rose and their teenage son Cory, who excels in football and has the chance to earn a college scholarship. However, Troy's own experiences and disappointments lead him to impose strict rules and inhibit Cory's dream, creating tension between father and son.

As Troy grapples with his past and present demons, his relationship with Rose suffers, revealing deep-seated personal flaws and unfulfilled desires. The family dynamics become strained as Troy's past decisions catch up with him, particularly concerning his older son from a previous relationship and his mentally impaired brother, Gabriel. The backyard fence that Troy builds throughout the narrative symbolizes both the emotional barriers within the family and the societal constraints that Troy contends with daily. The story adeptly explores themes of duty, ambition, and the complicated nature of familial love while portraying the struggles of an African-American family navigating mid-20th-century America.