Civil War

The film opens in a future America devastated by a Second Civil War. Texas and California have seceded to form the Western Forces militia, while Florida establishes its own alliance. President Nick Offerman delivers a triumphant speech after a major victory against Loyalist states, highlighting the ongoing conflict.

From her hotel room in NYC, journalist Lee Smith witnesses a bombing downtown while listening to the President's speech. This event underscores the chaos and danger pervasive across the country during the civil war.

Lee joins fellow journalist Joel and others in downtown for a protest amidst escalating violence. During the chaos, a woman with an American flag suicide-bombs the crowd, causing chaos and destruction. Lee captures the aftermath with her camera, documenting the violence.

Lee and her colleagues attend a hotel party to strategize their underground journey through war zones to Washington DC. Sammy, their mentor, insists on joining the dangerous trip to the front lines, despite his age, to report from Charlottesville.

The group prepares to leave early the next day, with Jessie eager to join and having idolized Lee. During refueling, they are forced to use Canadian currency, and Lee witnesses Jessie being taken to see hangings of tortured looters, revealing the brutal realities of the war.

At an abandoned mall, Jessie takes photos of a downed helicopter. As night falls, they sit and watch distant gunfire illuminate the sky, experiencing the permeating violence and danger of their journey.

The group navigates through a sniper zone, witnessing men being shot and taking cover. They assist allied militia gunmen in capturing sniper positions, experiencing the peril and chaos of urban warfare firsthand.

Arriving at a refugee camp, the group relaxes and bonds while Jessie develops her photos. Lee reflects on her career, notably her iconic photo of an Antifa massacre, emphasizing her experience and dedication to war journalism.

While in a seemingly peaceful town, the group encounters fellow journalists from Hong Kong, Tony and Bohai. Their arrival marks the escalation of danger, as Loyalist gunmen ambush and execute Tony and Bohai, leading to a tense escape.

Joel drives the wounded group toward a Western Forces military base in Charlottesville through burning forests. They arrive after Sammy succumbs to his wounds, marking a tragic loss and intensifying their resolve to continue their mission.

The group joins the Western Forces as they storm into Washington, D.C., aiming for the White House amidst heavy fighting. Jessie eagerly prepares for her photo opportunities, while Lee remains in stunned shock from the chaos surrounding her.

Inside the White House, the journalists are met with armed Secret Service agents. Lee pushes Jessie out of the way to shield her during a shooting, capturing her final moments on camera as the soldiers capture the President.

In the Oval Office, Joel confronts the President and pleads for a last quote before the President is executed by the soldiers, who are enforcing their brutal control amidst the ongoing civil war. Jessie captures this historic and violent moment with her camera.