In the cold, grayish landscape of a crisis-stricken England, we follow the lives of two young people, Ruth and Hank, who fall in love amid a climate of political and social uncertainty in the late 1980s. As tensions between nuclear powers rise, the threat of atomic war looms as a constant shadow over their relationship and future.
The story unfolds in a typical Yorkshire town, where the daily lives of its inhabitants are inescapably affected by fear and panic in the face of an imminent escalation of the Cold War. While Ruth tries to build a home and start a family, global events intertwine with her personal concerns, creating an atmosphere of claustrophobia and anxiety. As news broadcasts relay an increasingly bleak reality, the fragile stability of her life shatters.
Through chilling realism, the narrative illustrates how life can unravel in a matter of moments and how the decisions of a few impact many. The film offers a visceral and raw portrayal of the effects of nuclear war on society, exploring human resilience in the face of devastation. As the tension reaches an unbearable climax, ideals of love and hope fade away, leaving the audience with a profound reflection on the cost of conflict and the fragility of civilization.