Joe Warr is a successful sports writer who lives in Adelaide, Australia with his wife Katy and their young son Artie. When Katy passes away suddenly from cancer, Joe is left to raise Artie on his own. Joe's teenage son from his previous marriage, Harry, comes to stay with them for the summer, complicating things further.
At first, Joe struggles to balance his work with being a single parent, but he eventually decides to leave his job and focus on raising his sons. He moves his family to a rural area where they can be closer to nature and have more freedom. Joe rejects the traditional parenting advice he receives from his mother-in-law and other parents, and instead decides to let his sons make their own choices and learn from their mistakes.
Through a series of ups and downs, Joe gradually learns how to connect with his sons and become the father they need. He also learns important lessons about grief, loss, and the importance of family. The Boys Are Back is a heartwarming and sincere portrayal of single fatherhood and the bonds between fathers and sons.