Against the Wild

Zach and Hannah, along with their parents, prepare for a wilderness flight to meet their father, Robert Wade. The looming divorce colors the trip, but the siblings cling to the hope of keeping the family together for a time. They board a small sea plane with Chinook, their loyal dog, and take off into the bright blue expanse.

The engines cough; smoke fills the cabin; alarms howl as Charlie fights to keep the plane aloft. The plane rams into treetops and crashes into the forest, knocking everyone unconscious. When Zach and Hannah awaken, Charlie is wounded and the radio is dead, leaving the kids and Chinook stranded.

Recovering from the crash, Zach checks Charlie and surveys the wreck for supplies. The radio is dead, so they resolve to move through the wilderness to reach civilization, with Chinook guiding them. The immediate danger passes, but the threat of getting lost and not being found looms larger.

Back at base, the disappearance triggers a formal search led by Robert Wade as Susan Wade coordinates the effort. The family’s anxiety grows as the minutes turn into hours, and the potential for separation becomes real. News of the crash spurs the search into the forest, with authorities widening the net.

A distant helicopter sweeps the sky, but the siblings stay hidden in the woods while the craft passes without spotting them. The pilots search broadly, while Zach and Hannah rely on their wits and Chinook's instincts to stay out of sight. The sense of isolated danger deepens even as hope persists.

The children stumble upon a cave and build a small fire at its entrance, hoping to stay warm and perhaps signal rescuers. Chinook growls at the cave mouth, sensing something unseen watching them, which raises the tension but also underscores the dog’s protective role. They press on, using the cave as a temporary shelter.

The siblings cross a fast-moving river using a makeshift travois to help Hannah stay upright. Hannah slips on a log used as a bridge, and Chinook dives in to pull her from the current. The fall injures Hannah's ankle, forcing them to push on with caution.

As night settles, a pack of wolves converges on their camp, testing Zach's nerve. He improvises defenses while Chinook holds the wolves at bay, buying precious minutes. The dog’s courage keeps them safe long enough for a plan to form.

With the wolves repelled, Zach improvises a rudimentary sled so Chinook can haul Hannah through the escalating terrain. They rely on their teamwork and the dog’s strength to keep moving toward hope. The journey remains grueling but the siblings refuse to give in.

The search camp finally locates the wreck and rushes to pull the trio from danger. Charlie Foster is rescued, barely alive, and tells a baffling tale about waking up to find the kids gone with only a note left behind. Robert and Susan's relationship begins to shift under the pressure of the crisis.

Zach and Hannah discover a hidden paradise, a waterfall and a sparkling stream that offer a brief sense of normalcy. Zach catches a salmon by hand, and they share a quiet moment of joy, even as the larger struggle continues. A curious raccoon adds a light note before the wilderness resumes its threat.

A grizzly bear bursts from the undergrowth, threatening the children. Chinook interposes, biting the bear's paw to drive it back, buying the siblings crucial seconds to escape. The bear withdraws, and the family's safety depends on the dog's steadfast bravery.

The trio reaches a high plateau, but Zach slips near a precipice, triggering a desperate rescue. Chinook races toward the parents with wolves in pursuit, returning with a path to safety. The parents rig a rope and ATV to hoist Zach to safety, while Hannah coordinates the operation from the overlook. Finally, the family is reunited.

With all three safely together again, Robert and Susan's bond strengthens and the threat of dissolution eases. The crisis redefines their priorities, and they decide to remain a single, united family. The wilderness ordeal ends on a hopeful note, emphasizing loyalty, courage, and love.