Neds 2010

Beginning of School Transition

The film opens with a leaving ceremony marking John's transition from primary to secondary school. On his final day, he is approached by Canta, a local bully, who threatens him and warns about his new school. John's brother helps him deal with the bullying threat by enlisting gang members to confront Canta.

Starting Secondary School

John begins his new secondary school and initially adjusts well, though he is not in the top class. The headmaster promises a promotion by Christmas once he proves himself, and John successfully advances. However, he quickly becomes socially isolated and feels out of place among his peers.

Summer Camp Incident

John attends a summer camp for children with disabilities after his teacher recommends it. During the camp, he befriends Julian, a middle-class boy. However, he is forbidden from seeing Julian again after accidentally breaking a record of Julian’s father, which causes a rift with Julian's family.

Gang Recruitment

While walking home, John is threatened by members of the Car-D gang, who initially want to mug him. Recognizing his brother's association with the gang, they stop threatening him and invite him to join. John accepts, marking the beginning of his involvement in gang activities.

Decline into Gang Behavior

John's behavior worsens; he starts drawing graffiti, being rude to teachers, and smoking cigarettes. He gets involved in gang fights and obtains a knife during an altercation, indicating his descent into delinquency and violent conflicts with rival gangs.

Vandalism and Gang Feuds

In response to rejection from Julian's family, John vandalizes their home by throwing fireworks-filled football boots through the window. He later joins gang fights, including a bicycle attack, and runs into a rival gang where he fights and is ambushed, escalating gang conflicts.

Violent Incident with Canta

John encounters his former bully Canta, now appearing pitiful and isolated. After a brief confrontation where Canta makes a snide remark, John attacks him, knocking him down and dropping a stone slab on his head, resulting in lasting brain damage, signifying John's increasing violence.

Family Violence and Isolation

John's father becomes abusively drunk towards his mother. In response, John beats his father with a frying pan, leading his mother to order him out of the house. John then takes refuge in a high-rise flats' machine room, living on stolen supplies while experiencing growing turmoil.

Contemplation and Gluedown

Stripped and disoriented, John sniffs glue and has a hallucination involving Jesus, where he is challenged about his poor life choices. The next morning, his sober father finds him and urges him to return home, requesting him to end his suffering, hinting at John's suicidal thoughts.

Attempted Suicide and Street Violence

John straps two knives to his hands and considers ending his life, but ultimately he leaves his home. He attacks a rival gang member, injuring him, and is chased and beaten by gang members. Eventually, members of his own gang rescue him, but his violence persists.

Returning to Normalcy

Faced with ongoing violence and inner turmoil, John decides to leave gang life and return to school, attending a remedial class. He seeks to distance himself from gang conflicts and violence, signaling his desire for change amid his troubled past.