What Is What Becomes of the Broken Hearted? About?
The premise of What Becomes of the Broken Hearted? in 258 words, with nothing given away. The full story follows below.
In a world where former warriors cling to codes of honor that no longer serve them, the consequences of past choices cast long, unforgiving shadows. Jake Heke, known to many as “the Muss,” drifts through his nights at McClutchy’s Bar — a man divorced from the family he abandoned and largely oblivious to the tragedies that have unfolded in his absence. His reputation for violence precedes him wherever he goes, yet it offers no comfort, only the hollow echo of a life spent in pursuit of something he can no longer name.
The news that his eldest son, Nig, has been killed arrives like a blow from the past — too late to change anything, yet just in time to wound. The funeral becomes an unwelcome stage for a family reunion no one truly wanted, a gathering heavy with grief, resentment, and years of accumulated silence. Sonny, Jake’s surviving son, carries his own invisible scars, and the tension between father and son threatens to shatter what little remains of their fragile connection.
Old loyalties collide with new grievances as both men find themselves pulled toward choices that promise only deeper destruction. The world of gang violence and fractured honor that surrounds them offers no clear paths to redemption — only cycles that repeat and wounds that refuse to heal. What begins as a strained confrontation between estranged family members soon spirals into something far more dangerous: a desperate descent where bonds of blood are tested against the weight of pride, and where survival itself becomes an open question.
What Happens in What Becomes of the Broken Hearted??
The complete story of What Becomes of the Broken Hearted?, from the first scene to the last, in 284 words (about 1 minute). Spoilers throughout. Names in the text link to 6 cast member pages.
Spoilers ahead
The story centers on the simmering violence between New Zealand gangs, starting when Nig Heke, a member of the Black Hawks, is killed during a raid on their rival crew, the Black Snakes. His father, Jake Heke, known as “the Muss,” reluctantly attends Nig’s tangi but is ostracized by his family for his role in the suicide of his daughter Grace. Nig’s younger brother, Sonny Heke, vows revenge on the Hawks’ hard-edged leader, Grunt, after learning Grunt had set Nig up. In a calculated move, Sonny teams up with Nig’s former girlfriend, Tania Rogers, robbing a bank and using the money to pay the Black Snakes’ leader, Apeman, to strike at the Hawks.
Meanwhile, the path of another family member unfolds as the tension rises. The road to stability for Jake becomes jagged when his relentless brawling gets him barred from his favorite pub and his girlfriend leaves him. He finds a glimmer of purpose through new friendships with two construction workers who teach him how to hold steady relationships without always needing to dominate, and who also show him the rewards of honest work and time spent boar hunting.
The underbelly of the vendetta deepens when Apeman refuses to honor his bargain and sexually abuses Tania Rogers. In response, she and Sonny take matters into their own hands and kill Grunt, a brutal act that stirs a full-blown gang war. The fallout is stark: Tania is killed, Sonny is left badly beaten, and Apeman plans to decapitate Sonny and present his severed head as a grim peace offering to the Black Hawks. Amid the chaos, Jake Heke fights his way through the violence and manages to rescue Sonny, bringing him home to safety.
What Becomes of the Broken Hearted? Timeline: Every Key Event in Order
12 key events in the order they happen, from “Nig Heke's death during Black Snakes raid” to “Jake's path to stability and responsibility”.
- 1
Nig Heke's death during Black Snakes raid
Nig Heke is killed during a raid against the rival Black Snakes. The killing shocks the Black Hawks and sets off a chain of revenge. This event establishes the fragile power balance that drives the rest of the plot.
- 2
Jake 'the Muss' at Nig's tangi and ostracism
Nig's father, Jake 'the Muss', reluctantly attends his son's tangi. He is ostracised by his family for his role in the suicide of his daughter Grace. The shame and isolation push him toward a need for personal change.
- 3
Sonny vows revenge on Grunt
Sonny, Nig's younger brother, vows revenge on Grunt after learning that Grunt set Nig up. He resolves to strike back and aligns with Tania to plan their move. The vow sets the plan of retaliation in motion.
- 4
Bank robbery funds retaliation
Sonny and Tania rob a bank and use the money to pay Apeman, the Black Snakes' leader, to target the Black Hawks. The alliance between the bank heist and the payoff expands the cycle of violence. The plan marks a turning point where crimes become tools of inter-gang warfare.
- 5
Jake barred from pub; girlfriend leaves
Jake's constant brawling leads to him being barred from his favourite pub. His girlfriend leaves him, worsening his sense of purpose. Feeling adrift, he begins to search for a new direction.
- 6
Jake finds new friends and a path forward
He befriends two construction workers who help him find meaningful employment. They also take him boar hunting and teach him how to form friendships without always asserting dominance. These relationships provide Jake with a growing support network.
- 7
Apeman betrays the bargain and abuses Tania
Apeman refuses to keep his end of the bargain and sexually abuses Tania. The assault heightens the stakes and pushes the rivals toward violent actions. Tania's violation becomes a catalyst for revenge.
- 8
Grunt is killed; gang war erupts
Tania and Sonny kill Grunt, triggering a full-scale gang war. The act shocks both sides and escalates ongoing violence in the streets. The balance of power tilts as both gangs respond with further aggression.
- 9
Tania is killed and Sonny is beaten; decapitation plan
In retaliation, Tania is killed and Sonny is brutally beaten, leaving him near death. Apeman intends to decapitate Sonny and present his severed head as a peace offering to the Black Hawks.
- 10
Jake rescues Sonny from the gang
Jake fights his way through the gang to reach Sonny and saves him. The confrontation marks Jake's evolution from a hot-headed brawler to a protective brother. He carries Sonny home, ending the immediate danger.
- 11
War escalates; community destabilized
The gang war continues to intensify as cycles of retaliation feed each attack. Communities around the clashes live in fear, and alliances shift under pressure. The film ends without a clear resolution, hinting at a wider ongoing conflict.
- 12
Jake's path to stability and responsibility
Jake begins to rebuild his life by nurturing healthier relationships and avoiding the old patterns of violence. The experience leaves him wary but hopeful about a steadier future. The story suggests a path forward through responsibility and support rather than force.
Who Are the Main Characters in What Becomes of the Broken Hearted??
7 characters, among them Jake Heke (Temuera Morrison), Nig Heke (Julian Arahanga) and Sonny Heke (Clint Eruera): who each one is and the part they play in the story. Every profile links to the actor’s page.
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Jake Heke (Temuera Morrison)
Played by Temuera Morrison
A hot-headed patriarch whose history of street violence haunts his family. Struggling with guilt after Grace's suicide, he faces ostracism from loved ones while seeking meaningful connections and a steadier life.
- 👪 Family
- 🥊 Violence
- 🤝 Redemption
- NH
Nig Heke (Julian Arahanga)
Played by Julian Arahanga
A member of the Black Hawks whose loyalty to the gang pulls him into a deadly cycle of retaliation. His pursuit of vengeance ultimately costs him his life during a raid and exposes the costs of gang loyalty.
- 👪 Family
- 🔥 Betrayal
- ⚔️ Reprisal
- SH
Sonny Heke (Clint Eruera)
Played by Clint Eruera
Nig's younger brother who vows revenge after learning Nig was set up. He participates in a bank robbery that escalates the gang war and suffers brutal punishment yet is saved by a wary ally.
- 👪 Family
- 🗡️ Revenge
- 🫂 Loyalty
- TR
Tania Rogers (Nancy Brunning)
Played by Nancy Brunning
Nig's former girlfriend who becomes entangled in the gang deal. She endures abuse by Apeman and participates in the retaliation that kills Grunt, ultimately paying with her own life.
- 💔 Traumatic abuse
- 🗡️ Revenge
- 💀 Tragedy
- G(
Grunt (Lawrence Makoare)
Played by Lawrence Makoare
Leader of the Black Hawks who manipulates and orchestrates the gang's operations. His schemes contribute to the fatal escalation of the conflict and he is targeted by the pair who seek vengeance.
- ⚔️ Leadership
- 🗡️ Betrayal
- A(
Apeman (Pete Smith)
Played by Pete Smith
Leader of the rival Black Snakes who bargains and schemes to inflame the war. His refusal to keep his end of the bargain fuels violence and he is implicated in the broader cycle of aggression.
- 🔥 Power
- ⚖️ Manipulation
- BH
Beth Heke (Rena Owen)
Played by Rena Owen
Jake's partner whose support wanes as his violent past strains their relationship. Her departure reflects the fragility of trust in a violent community.
- 💔 Relationship strain
- 👭 Family
Where and When Is What Becomes of the Broken Hearted? Set?
What Becomes of the Broken Hearted? is set in New Zealand. Here is why the place matters to the story.
Where
New Zealand
Set in urban New Zealand neighborhoods where rival gangs navigate loyalty and retribution. It features a tangi, highlighting Māori customs that shape family and community responses. The environment is gritty, with pubs, construction sites, and street life that drive the plot.
- 🏙️ Urban environments
- 🧭 Māori traditions
- 🗺️ New Zealand setting
What Are the Themes of What Becomes of the Broken Hearted??
4 ideas the story keeps returning to, among them Family, Violence and Redemption.
-
01
Family
The story centers on family ties and the expectations placed on each member. Nig's father Jake, known as 'the Muss', and Grace's suicide fracture the family, pushing characters toward loyalty, honor, and revenge. Conflicting loyalties within the Heke family propel key choices and alignments throughout the film.
-
02
Violence
Gangs clash across the city, with plans, betrayals, and brutal acts driving the narrative. The bank robbery and Grunt's assassination escalate the conflict and show how violence becomes a currency of power. The cycle of retaliation pulls multiple characters into danger and chaos.
-
03
Redemption
Jake seeks to redefine himself beyond brawling by forming meaningful friendships and taking up steady work with construction crews. The help he receives contrasts with his violent past, suggesting the possibility of change. Relationships built on trust gradually steer him toward a more constructive path.
-
04
Grief
The film grapples with profound loss—from Grace's suicide to the death and suffering that follow in the wake of violence. Grief shapes characters’ decisions and pushes them toward vengeance or reconciliation. The hurt reverberates through families and communities, underscoring the human cost of gang conflict.
What Kind of Film Is What Becomes of the Broken Hearted??
Dark in tone, with fast pacing and a straightforward story, going by the plot summary.
- Tone
- Dark
- Pacing
- Fast
- Story
- Straightforward
- Intensity
- High
- Ending
- Bittersweet
A brutal and intense crime drama that follows a fractured family's descent into violence and revenge, punctuated by moments of hard-won redemption amidst overwhelming tragedy.
- gritty
- violent
- tense
- desperate
- somber
- brutal
- gang violence
- grief and loss
- father son relationship
- revenge
Content notes: gang violence, sexual assault, domestic abuse, death of family member, brutal beating, decapitation threat.
Where to Watch What Becomes of the Broken Hearted?
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