Above and Below (2016) Spoiler-Free Summary – What It's About

In a world where hidden waterways snake beneath the neon glare of Las Vegas, an uncharted desert bunker shelters secrets no one expected, and humanity’s reach brushes the thin atmosphere at the edge of Mars, a disparate group of strangers finds their lives inexplicably intertwined. Each individual arrives with their own purpose—some chasing forgotten histories, others fleeing the confines of ordinary existence—yet all are drawn together by a shared urge to test the limits of what is possible and what it means to truly survive.

The film’s tone balances breath‑holding tension with moments of fragile tenderness, casting the stark, almost surreal environments as both obstacles and mirrors for the characters’ inner landscapes. The flood‑filled tunnels beneath the desert city pulse with a claustrophobic rhythm, while the barren bunker offers a bleak sanctuary where time seems to stretch. Above it all, the cold expanse of the Martian horizon glints with a promise of revelation, each setting echoing the characters’ yearning for connection in places that seem designed to keep them apart.

Against this backdrop, the ensemble—each bearing distinct skills, doubts, and hidden pasts—forms uneasy alliances that evolve into something deeper than mere cooperation. Their interactions are marked by quiet humor, whispered confessions, and the occasional flash of daring, as they navigate danger and wonder alike. Through the lens of survival, the story explores how extreme circumstances can strip away pretense, exposing raw humanity and the unexpected bonds that can flourish when people are forced to look both above and below their own horizons.