Set against the misty peaks and dense forests of the Carpathians in the early eighteenth century, the film follows how foreign rule crushes the Hutsul communities and forces two brothers to become opryshkos—mountain outlaws who fight to protect their people and reclaim dignity. The story blends raw, visceral action with elements of folklore and myth, using sweeping landscapes and intense skirmishes to evoke both the beauty and brutality of life under occupation.
As their rebellion grows, tensions between the brothers deepen, turning comrades into rivals and bringing betrayal, love, and moral ambiguity to the forefront. The personal conflict that unfolds tests loyalties and questions the cost of freedom, portraying a world where heroism and tragedy are inseparable and every choice carries heavy consequences.