Brief

In an effort to save his children, one man is forced to do the bidding of a corrupt government on a heated Earth, no longer protected by the ozone layer, where warring superpowers compete to develop secret technologies that will allow them to save their people and take over the world.

What We Liked

- With climate change becoming an increasing existential threat to humanity, the subject matter is universal;
- It is thought provoking in terms of the future of humanity and explores morality along with emerging technology;
- Topical, provides social commentary and can hopefully serve as a cautionary tale;
- Themes of bravery and honor are always inspiring as well;
- It is extremely cinematic in nature, provides stunningly violent visuals;
- Relevant and thought provoking;
- Franchise potential;
- Empathetic/relatable characters;
- Unconventional/unexpected ending.

Synopsis

The Earth, no longer protected by an ozone layer, is nearly inhabitable. Extreme heat and lethal levels of radiation have ravaged the atmosphere and any humans who are not fortunate enough to be sheltered by domes powered by protective technology are sick and dying. The United States is now in a race with new superpower, Japan’s Great Union aka J.G.U., to build technology that will save their citizens. Instead of working together, united as human beings, each country wants the other one to fail so the winner can take over and rule over the world. To keep out the invaders and to protect their secret technology, the United States dispatches forces to stave off invaders. Unaware that underground government forces are encouraging the invasion, President Franklin Ford is pushed into dispatching and implementing Plan Zero, a clandestine government mission to eliminate the citizens living on the outside who have been poisoned by radiation.

John Kirken, the Dome Military Commander, left his family behind on the outside to serve his country. He is tortured by the fact that his step-children, 18 year-old Brandon and 16 year-old Mel, were kept out in the world to due to his estranged ex-wife, Deanna’s, refusal to let them go. With the help of anti-radiation medication given only to a select few, Kirken makes a trek outside of the domes to see his children. While he’s on the outside, the United States is invaded by Japanese forces seeking to find, steal and destroy the American technology developed to protect life against the elements. In addition, to this danger, the United States has enacted the cruel policy of killing off their own sick and dying.

Kirken is used as a pawn by the government to destroy American cities in an effort to keep the Japanese from advancing on their secret technological locations. In exchange, Kirken and his children are offered extraction to the safe zone. However, there is no intention of actually rescuing him. Kirken’s knowledge and potential of leaking the American plot against its own people is his death sentence. However, Maxwell Tuttle, being a man of his word, risks everything on a mission to save Kirken. By the time Tuttle reaches them, Brandon, who is now more monster than man, is saved while the fiery destruction finally takes Kirken and Mel to their deaths.

About The Author

Michael Rusch is a journalism graduate from the University of Wisconsin and works as a public relations/customer communications manager for a mass transit system in Madison. He also handles website and social media marketing for a multiplex theatre owned by his family.