Set in 1985, in the plains of Colorado, McClain Evans, a young gay teen is constantly the target of hate and bullying in his provincial town. Returning after a five-year absence is Karen O’Neil, a woman haunted by the death of her fiancé, pro boxer Mark Corey. On the surface, we believe Karen is there only to reconnect with her family, owners of a successful martial arts business, and active members of their church ministry. When McClain is hospitalized after a near fatal beating by three local teens, who are then released on bail, Annie (McClain’s outraged mother) asks Karen to secretly teach her son to defend himself. Unbeknown to her family, and fearful of small town retaliation, Karen agrees to secretly teach McClain, training him at night to protect them both. Through the martial ways, McClain learns to rise above ignorance and prejudice, and his new-found confidence causes him to intercede when a classmate is being bullied. After the public confrontation, Karen’s role as his teacher is revealed. This rocks the small, rural community to the core, particularly when the controversy unmasks Karen’s past with Mark Corey. Reminiscently told in conversation between the young man, McClain and a Minister The Sensei is an examination of the prejudices that allow hatred to continue, and the people that find their own humanity in their darkest hour.