Extinction

A small group flees a snowbound town aboard two buses, hoping to reach a safe zone. The first bus is overwhelmed by infected, forcing chaos and panic among the passengers. The second bus escapes, but Emma is bitten during the harrowing exit.

Jack and Patrick live in adjacent houses separated by a fence, with Emma dead and Lu living with Jack. Patrick's dog bonds with Lu, offering a small spark of companionship across the barrier. The landscape outside remains dangerous, shaping their isolated routine.

A few days after the time jump, Patrick and his dog discover a half-eaten fox and follow a blood trail toward trouble. They spot an infected and attempt to retreat, but a fallen tree blocks their escape. The infected's ears twitch to sound, drawn by gunshots emanating from Jack's home.

The infected closes in and bites Patrick on the neck. The dog intervenes to protect him, breaking the moment just as Jack hesitates to shoot. The bite confirms that danger remains, forcing the trio to reassess their situation.

Lu sneaks out at night to lay flowers on the dog's grave, grieving the loss of their guardian. An infected attack strains the family as Jack rescues Lu, severely injuring himself in the process. Patrick arrives to help, and together they subdue the infected, learning more about their tenuous survival.

The survivors discover that none of them have turned, revealing a surprising immunity to the disease. They also learn that the infected have evolved to rely on hearing rather than sight, making sound a critical factor in their survival. These revelations reshape how they plan to endure the threat.

The next day, Lu asks Patrick to join them for dinner, and the truth emerges that Patrick is her biological father. Jack recounts the past: Emma took Lu away after Patrick's alcoholism and failed rescue. They decide to invite Patrick to stay and work together, forming a tentative new bond.

They head to a warehouse to gather supplies and encounter a pregnant woman whose group heard Patrick on the radio. She explains that her convoy was attacked and reveals that a howling sound is used by the infected to call to one another. Her presence adds a new dynamic as the group contemplates future alliances.

Back at the house, a massive infected assault converges as dusk falls and howling echoes through the town. The woman plays loud music to keep the infected from attacking, forcing them to cover their ears. With the generator nearly out of gas, the music fades and tension spikes as defense falters.

Patrick sacrifices himself by luring the infected away with a flare and a shouted call. He leads them off and detonates a final blast, destroying the infected and saving Jack and Lu. The town's immediate threat is neutralized, but the cost is immense.

Jack, Lu, and the pregnant survivor escape in a vehicle as dawn breaks over the landscape. They watch the sunrise, signifying a fragile glimmer of hope after the night's devastation. The road ahead is uncertain, but they move forward together.