After a boat crash, a college student is held captive in a tornado shelter with two women who claim the outside world is under attack by chemical warfare; but he soon discovers that nothing is what it seems, and facing the truth is the only way out.

SYNOPSIS:

Wealthy recluse FLORENCE has created a tornado fall-out shelter under her estranged family’s plantation, in a small southern town called Natchez, in northern Louisiana. Following a boating accident in which a college student, JACOB, is knocked unconscious, FLORENCE rescues him and brings him back to the shelter.

Once JACOB wakes up from his coma, he learns he has a broken arm and severe burns all over his body. He is relieved to be alive and thankful for FLORENCE’S hospitality. They have a discussion about the state of the air quality and FLORENCE informs him they’ve been attacked by a chemical substance from a foreign adversary, and can’t go outside for the foreseeable future. After a few days, JACOB becomes increasingly paranoid and skeptical about his new surroundings. To calm his nerves FLORENCE shows him the view-port of the bunker's entrance, where he sees four dead and decayed horses outside, evidence of the fallout. Still not totally convinced there was an “attack”, JACOB plans to leave at the end of the week by any means necessary. To his surprise, FLORENCE gives him the keys and tells him he can leave whenever he wants.However, as he reaches the top of the bunker, a woman in a HAZMAT suit bangs on the window, begging to be let in. JACOB opens the door and she enters.

SADIE opens up about the outside world and how few survivors there are. She is FLORENCE’S estranged niece and it’s clear from their conversations that they aren’t on the best of terms. JACOB continues having nightmares about his accident and eventually recognizes FLORENCE’S boat as the boat that drove him off the river. JACOB privately relays his concerns about FLORENCE to SADIE who solidifies his suspicions about her erratic behavior and tendency to fabricate stories. SADIE opens up about their family history and explains how FLORENCE’S son died years earlier in a similar boating accident, but she’s never fully gotten over it. Much to FLORENCE’S dismay, they become romantically involved and make plans to escape.

When FLORENCE discovers that HAZMAT suits and her gun are missing, she accuses the two of stealing them, threatening to kick them out of the bunker. They don’t back down and claim this is their bunker now. If FLORENCE wants to stay, she has to play by their rules. The next morning SADIE goes missing and FLORENCE claims she’s “fixing” something outside, but when she doesn’t return JACOB fears the worst.

In shock, JACOB makes final preparations to leave when he is surprised by FLORENCE. He manages to flee from her with the suit, escape the bunker and seek refuge inside the plantation. En route, FLORENCE assaults him confessing she killed SADIE to protect them, and just wanted another chance at being a mother. In the ensuing struggle, JACOB kills her. He then steals her boat and takes off up river. After miles of not seeing anyone as he approaches the New Orleans border, he finally sees large groups of people celebrating the 4th of July on their boats. He slowly pulls his mask down, then takes a breath.

RED RIVER