What Is What Richard Did About?
The premise of What Richard Did in 285 words, with nothing given away. The full story follows below.
In the sun‑drenched suburbs of Dublin’s Southside, a world of privilege and expectation unfurls beneath the sleek façades of modern homes and historic schools. Here, Richard Karlsen drifts through his final summer before university, buoyed by a promising future, a tight‑knit circle of friends, and the lingering camaraderie of his senior‑cup rugby days. The city’s elite social scene pulses with late‑night gatherings, whispered ambitions, and the quiet pressure to uphold family reputation, setting a tone that is both celebratory and unsettlingly precise.
Amidst this backdrop, Lara Hogan enters as the object of Richard’s growing affection, her presence stirring an undercurrent of rivalry with Conor Harris, a former teammate whose own charms and history with Lara add layers of tension to the group’s dynamic. Alongside them, Cian and Stephen provide the steady, if sometimes impulsive, camaraderie that defines their youthful escapades. Meanwhile, Richard’s father, Peter, a man grappling with his own inner turbulence, offers a stoic yet uneasy guidance that hints at deeper familial expectations. The relationships are laced with the intensity of first loves, the precariousness of friendships on the brink of change, and the looming question of what one is willing to sacrifice for desire and belonging.
The film moves with a measured, almost lyrical pace, capturing the intoxicating blend of carefree summer nights and the weight of imminent adulthood. Its tone is a thoughtful, introspective drift through moments of humor, longing, and quiet dread, inviting the audience to feel the palpable pull between freedom and responsibility. As the characters stand on the edge of decisions that will reverberate through their lives, What Richard Did teases the delicate balance of guilt, identity, and the elusive hope for redemption that lies just beyond the horizon.
What Happens in What Richard Did?
The complete story of What Richard Did, from the first scene to the last, in 431 words (about 2 minutes). Spoilers throughout.
Spoilers ahead
Richard Karlsen, a charming and self-assured young man, enjoys a life of luxury on Dublin’s Southside. Once a rugby player for his elite school’s Senior Cup team, he and his friends are living it up during their final summer before heading off to university. His feelings intensify for Lara Hogan, who happens to be the girlfriend of Conor Harris, an old teammate. As Richard begins to win her affection, tensions rise and his friendship with Conor starts to deteriorate.
One evening, they all attend a lavish party in a wealthy suburb, where an unexpected arrival from Conor adds to Richard’s jealousy of Lara’s ongoing friendship with him. After a brief escape to gather his thoughts, Richard finds himself blocked from re-entering the party, while Lara and Conor remain immersed in the festivities. As the night unfolds, Richard’s frustration peaks, resulting in a heated argument with Lara when she steps outside. Conor, upset after dealing with some gatecrashers, confronts Richard. This confrontation escalates, leading Conor to strike Richard in anger. Cian and Stephen, two mutual friends, intervene, landing a punch on Conor. As Conor lies on the ground, Richard impulsively delivers a devastating kick to his head. Richard, Lara, Cian, and Stephen depart while witnessing Conor struggling to return to the party.
The following day brings shocking news: Conor has been found dead. Richard meets with Cian and Stephen, and the trio decides to conceal the troubling incident, leaving only Lara in the loop. She comforts Richard, assuring him that she misled the Garda investigators, claiming they left prior to the fight. In a moment of misguided loyalty, Richard attends a Garda station and provides a misleading statement. However, he confides in his manic depressive father, Peter, who is distraught and advises Richard to distance himself by retreating to their family beach house. Struggling with his guilt, Richard has a breakdown during this solitude.
Days later, Peter learns through his connections that the Garda investigation is largely directing its focus toward the gatecrashers, bypassing any inquiries into Richard and his friends. At Conor’s goodbye gathering, the impact of loss weighs heavily on Richard, leading him to seek solace in alcohol and briefly connect with another girl from the party. However, during Conor’s funeral mass, guilt overwhelms him as Conor’s devastated mother delivers an emotional speech, expressing disbelief at the silence surrounding the attack. Torn between his conscience and desire for liberation, Richard suggests eloping with Lara but ultimately fails to follow through. As time passes, Richard is seen embarking on his university journey, carrying the heavy burden of unconfessed guilt with him.
What Richard Did Timeline: Every Key Event in Order
15 key events in the order they happen, from “Richard's Luxurious Lifestyle” to “Beginning University with Guilt”. 11 events name a place, across 9 locations.
- 1
Richard's Luxurious Lifestyle
Richard Karlsen is introduced as a charming and self-assured young man living a life of luxury in Dublin's Southside. His privilege allows him to enjoy a carefree summer with friends before they all head off to university, setting the stage for the events to follow.
Where:Dublin's Southside
- 2
Friendship Tensions with Conor
As Richard's feelings for Lara Hogan deepen, he realizes that she is dating Conor Harris, an old teammate. This emotional conflict leads to a deterioration in the friendship between Richard and Conor, creating an undercurrent of jealousy.
- 3
Lavish Party Gathering
The group attends a lavish party in a wealthy suburb, where the social atmosphere is filled with excitement and excess. However, Richard's jealousy intensifies when Conor's unexpected arrival adds a layer of complexity to his budding relationship with Lara.
Where:Wealthy Suburb
- 4
Blocked from Re-Entering the Party
After stepping away from the party to think, Richard attempts to return but finds himself blocked from re-entering. This moment of isolation fosters his frustration, especially as he observes Lara and Conor enjoying the festivities without him.
Where:Party Venue
- 5
Heated Argument with Lara
A confrontation occurs when Richard and Lara step outside for a heated argument. Richard's feelings of jealousy boil over, creating a rift in his relationship with Lara and setting the stage for escalating tensions.
Where:Outside the Party
- 6
Confrontation with Conor
Conor, upset after dealing with gatecrashers at the party, confronts Richard about his earlier argument with Lara. The heated exchange culminates in violence when Conor physically strikes Richard, igniting a chaotic reaction among their friends.
Where:Party Venue
- 7
Fight Aftermath
After Conor is knocked to the ground by Cian and Stephen, Richard, in a moment of rage, inflicts a devastating kick to Conor's head. This impulsive action marks a turning point in Richard's life, as he begins to grapple with the severe consequences of his violence.
Where:Party Venue
- 8
Conor's Shocking Death
The next day, the friends are devastated to learn that Conor has been found dead. The gravity of the situation deepens as Richard and his friends decide to conceal their involvement from the authorities, leaving Lara as the only one who knows the truth.
When:Next Day
- 9
Misleading the Authorities
In a moment of panic and misguided loyalty, Richard visits a Garda station and provides a misleading statement regarding the events of the night. This decision only deepens his internal struggle as he faces the looming weight of his guilt.
Where:Garda Station
- 10
Isolation at the Beach House
Richard's father, Peter, suggests that he retreat to their family beach house to escape the turmoil of the situation. Alone with his thoughts, Richard's guilt transforms into a breakdown as he tries to cope with what has happened.
Where:Beach House
Show the other 5 events of What Richard Did Hide the last 5 events
- 11
Investigation Focus on Gatecrashers
Peter learns through his connections that the Garda investigation is focusing on the gatecrashers rather than Richard and his friends. This news provides a temporary sense of relief for Richard, yet the guilt remains a heavy burden on his conscience.
- 12
Conor's Goodbye Gathering
During Conor's goodbye gathering, Richard struggles with the impact of their friend's death. He seeks solace in alcohol, trying to escape his feelings while ultimately feeling the weight of loss and regret.
Where:Goodbye Gathering
- 13
Emotional Funeral Mass
At Conor's funeral mass, Richard's guilt culminates as he listens to Conor's mother express her disbelief and pain over her son's death. This powerful moment forces Richard to confront the silence surrounding the truth of the attack.
Where:Funeral Mass
- 14
Failed Proposal to Elopement
In an attempt to escape the emotional turmoil, Richard suggests eloping with Lara. However, he ultimately fails to follow through, leaving both of them trapped in their complex feelings and the shadows of their past actions.
- 15
Beginning University with Guilt
As time progresses, Richard embarks on his journey to university, a fresh start shadowed by his unconfessed guilt. The emotional weight of his past actions lingers, impacting his new experiences and relationships.
Where:University
Who Are the Main Characters in What Richard Did?
4 characters, among them Richard Karlsen, Lara Hogan and Conor Harris: who each one is and the part they play in the story.
- RK
Richard Karlsen
Richard is a charismatic young man who embodies confidence and privilege. As he navigates the complexities of love and loyalty, his impulsive nature leads to dire consequences that forever change his life. His internal struggle with guilt and identity defines his character arc as he seeks redemption in the aftermath of tragedy.
- 🏉 Rugby
- 😥 Guilt
- 💔 Love
- LH
Lara Hogan
Lara is portrayed as an object of desire who embodies both charm and complexity. Caught in a love triangle, her relationship with Richard and Conor reveals her struggle to balance affection and loyalty. Her character evolves as she tries to navigate the turmoil caused by Richard's impulsive actions.
- ❤️ Love
- 😓 Complexity
- ⚖️ Loyalty
- CH
Conor Harris
Conor, Richard's former friend and rival, represents the consequences of youthful rivalry and jealousy. His character acts as a catalyst for the central conflict, leading to tragic outcomes that affect all involved. His death highlights the fragility of life and the impact of violence among peers.
- 😡 Rivalry
- 💔 Loss
- ⚠️ Violence
- PK
Peter Karlsen
Peter, Richard's father, embodies the challenges of parental guidance in times of distress. His character reveals layers of concern, frustration, and ultimately love for his son, offering a lens into the generational impact of trauma and guilt. His advice to Richard underscores the struggle to protect one’s family amidst uncertainty.
- 👨👦 Fatherhood
- 😔 Struggle
- ❤️ Concern
Where and When Is What Richard Did Set?
What Richard Did is set in Dublin's Southside, a wealthy suburb and family beach house. Here is why the place matters to the story.
When
The events unfold during the summer before university, a transitional period for many young adults. This time is typically marked by celebrations and the forging of new paths, yet it also exposes the fragility of friendships and the heavy weight of choices made during youth. The consequences of youthful impulsiveness resonate deeply, shaping Richard's journey as he navigates guilt and redemption.
Where
Dublin's Southside, a wealthy suburb, family beach house
Dublin's Southside serves as a vibrant backdrop, known for its luxurious lifestyle and elite schools, where privileged youth engage in carefree living. The wealthy suburb, characterized by opulent houses and exclusive parties, emphasizes the societal divide and pressures faced by its youthful inhabitants. Richard's family beach house provides a stark contrast, representing a retreat from the intense social dynamics and a place for introspection.
- 🏙️ City
- 🌊 Beach
What Are the Themes of What Richard Did?
3 ideas the story keeps returning to, among them Guilt, Friendship and Identity.
-
01
Guilt
The theme of guilt permeates the narrative as Richard grapples with the consequences of his actions. His impulsive decision to strike Conor leads to a tragic outcome, forcing him to carry the weight of unconfessed guilt throughout the story. This theme highlights the psychological burden that ties individuals to their past actions and the struggle for redemption.
-
02
Friendship
Friendship is central to the plot, showcasing the complexities and tensions that arise among young adults. Richard's relationship with Conor deteriorates under the strain of jealousy and rivalry, revealing how thin the line can be between camaraderie and conflict. The loyalty among Richard, Cian, and Stephen, despite its misguided nature, further emphasizes the often turbulent dynamics of friendships during significant life transitions.
-
03
Identity
Richard's journey reflects the theme of identity and the struggle to define oneself amidst societal expectations. As he shifts from a confident rugby player to a troubled young man burdened by guilt, his character illustrates the challenges of maintaining one's identity when faced with moral dilemmas and peer pressure. The quest for authenticity becomes a pivotal part of his growth.
What Kind of Film Is What Richard Did?
Dark in tone, with variable pacing and a moderate story, going by the plot summary.
- Tone
- Dark
- Pacing
- Variable
- Story
- Moderate
- Intensity
- High
- Ending
- Sad
An intense and somber character study that follows a privileged young man's descent into guilt and moral crisis after a single violent act shatters his perfect world.
- anxious
- guilt-ridden
- somber
- tense
- melancholic
- oppressive
- coming of age
- guilt and responsibility
- accidental death
- conspiracy of silence
Content notes: accidental death, physical violence, grieving parent.
Quiz
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