Story Overview

The Irishman chronicles the long, somber journey of a mob hitman trapped between his conscience and the irreversible weight of his past. A World War II veteran, Frank Sheeran returns to postwar America only to find himself drawn into the shadowy world of organized crime. Gradually becoming associated with the Bufalino crime family, Sheeran rises through the ranks, taking part in a wide range of illegal activities that earn him the ominous reputation known simply as “The Irishman.”

Outwardly, Sheeran appears to be a union official, but behind closed doors he becomes a crucial intermediary in the corrupt alliance between the Mafia and labor unions. The film carefully traces his ascent, his loyalties, and the moral compromises he makes, revealing how each decision quietly shapes the cost he will eventually have to pay.

As the story unfolds, one of the most mysterious episodes in American history moves to the center of the narrative: the disappearance of powerful union leader Jimmy Hoffa. Built around themes of friendship, betrayal, and regret, the film transcends the conventions of a crime saga, inviting the audience to confront aging, isolation, and the haunting burden of a life defined by irreversible choices.