Alpha

In Upper Paleolithic Europe, approximately 20,000 years ago, a small tribe of hunter-gatherers prepares for an essential expedition to secure food for the winter. The tribe's chief, Tau, selects his teenage son, Keda, along with another boy to join the hunting party, indicating the importance of this journey.

Before the boys can embark on their expedition, they must complete various initiation tasks. Keda impresses the tribe by crafting a sharp stone spearhead, showcasing his skills and marking the beginning of his initiation into the hunting community.

As part of the initiation process, Keda is roughed up by the other hunters, culminating in Tau gifting him his own necklace. This symbolic gift signifies Keda's acceptance into the tribe and the responsibilities he must now bear as a hunter.

Keda's mother, Rho, expresses her apprehensions about her son's readiness for such a significant responsibility. Tau reassures her that Keda will return a leader, capable of guiding the tribe through the challenging winter.

As the expedition begins, Keda struggles with his inexperience, particularly in lighting a fire. Tau reminds him of the importance of patience and teaches him vital survival skills necessary for their journey.

During the hunt, Tau challenges Keda to kill a boar, testing his resolve. However, Keda falters at this critical moment, leading Tau to express his frustration and stress the importance of taking life to sustain their tribe.

One night, the hunters' fire attracts a Machairodus, resulting in a devastating event where Keda's friend is snatched away. The tribe mourns the loss of their member, demonstrating the harsh realities of life in the wilderness.

The tribe honors their lost comrade through dignity rituals, placing rocks to symbolize the journey of the spirit into the afterlife. They also engrave star maps on their skin through tattooing, a practice passed down through generations.

Late at night, Tau imparts wisdom about leadership to Keda, using the dynamics of wolf packs as an analogy. He stresses the importance of earning respect as an Alpha, rather than inheriting it, preparing Keda for future challenges.

The hunters finally locate a herd of steppe bison and devise a plan to stampede them off a cliff. Chaos ensues when one bison charges at Keda, causing him to fall and sustain injuries, leaving him unconscious.

Despite the tribe's belief that Keda is dead, he regains consciousness and kills a vulture that mistakes him for deceased prey. As a storm brews, he takes the opportunity to escape the ravine he was trapped in.

Alone in the wilderness, Keda adapts to his surroundings, surviving on dirty water and worms. He encounters a pack of wolves, evades them, and decides to nurture an injured wolf rather than harm it.

Keda forms a unique bond with the injured wolf, whom he names Alpha. Their relationship deepens as Keda prioritizes Alpha's well-being and they work together to hunt small prey.

As winter approaches, Keda faces new dangers, including falling through ice on a frozen lake. Thankfully, Alpha saves him during this crisis, demonstrating their growing partnership.

After surviving a deadly encounter with a Machairodus and carrying his injured friend, Keda finally returns to his village. He is joyfully reunited with his parents, and the tribe accepts Alpha and her newly born pups, forever changing their hunting dynamics.