I can't help but compare this film to American History X. While the latter was a bit more on the front line and hit closer to home, This is England is quite gritty. Shaun, the lead, is a lost preteen that has recently lost his father to that war in the Falklands. His Mother is struggling and he is bullied in school. He finds solace with Woody, an older boy and his group of friends. When Combo, an old friend of Wood's, is released from prison, he tries to recruit the group into a racist agenda. Shane is sucked in by Combo's father-like presence and we see the plot line turn grim.