In World War II Europe, Bruno is an eight-year-old boy who, after moving with his family to a house near a concentration camp, feels completely isolated and bored. His father, a high-ranking Nazi officer, is distant and authoritarian, which only amplifies Bruno's curiosity about what lies beyond his new home. One day, while exploring the surroundings, he comes across a fence that separates his world from that of a boy named Shmuel, who wears a striped uniform. Despite the barriers between them, the curiosity and innocence of both boys lead them to forge a secret friendship.
As Bruno and Shmuel meet in secret, they share stories and dreams, unaware of the brutal reality that surrounds them. Bruno's disconnection from the adult world leads him to question what war means and the atrocities he cannot fully comprehend. However, as their friendship deepens, so does the tension between their two worlds, a conflict that will culminate in heartbreaking decisions.
The film is a powerful portrayal of childhood innocence against the brutality of human conflict, where friendship challenges prejudice but also shows the painful consequences of ignorance and war. With a shocking ending, the story leaves a profound reflection on what it means to be human in times of darkness.