The Butcher Boy is based on the 1992 novel by Irish writer, Patrick McCabe. It is billed as a black comedy.

It tells the story of Francis "Francie" Brady who ends up in an 'reform school' where he is sexually abused by one of the priests. When Francie returns home his long term friend has made friends with someone else, his alcoholic father dies, and Francie descends in to a fantasie life of increasing brutality.