At an Australian backyard barbeque, a man slaps a child who is not his son. The boy's parents are so affronted by the assault, that they call the police and take the man to court. Friends and family are forced to take sides. One cousin is forced to testify against another. Couples are caught in the crossfire. Beliefs are tested and relationships strained. The Slap explores what happens when the veil of civility, that binds us as a society, is torn apart by one disturbing action. It brings to vivid life questions of parenting, the rights of children, race, class, sexuality, and the different perspectives of men and women.