Hinterholz 8

Herbert and Margit, a middle-class Vienna couple, dream of leaving the crowded city for a calmer life. After debating prefab options, they are urged by Herbert's drink-friendly colleagues to buy an old house and renovate it themselves. This decision marks their move from renting to a long-term, hands-on project.

The couple discovers an abandoned cottage with a stunning view of the Vienna woods. The property is revealed to belong to the local mayor, Kandler, who manages to sell it to Herbert for a price that seems high yet tempting. They decide to buy it to restore it.

Herbert completes the purchase and the Krcals begin renovating the cottage. The project is ambitious and soon strains their finances. They hope the home will finally provide the stability and space they craved.

A hired worker accidentally tears down the chimney along with parts of the walls, rendering the cottage uninhabitable. Herbert hires a builder but quickly runs into mounting bills he cannot pay. The dream of a DIY renovation starts turning into a financial nightmare.

With the Vienna apartment promised to a neighbor doctor, the family must leave the city for Margit's parents’ summer cottage, which has no heating. The approaching winter makes the lack of warmth urgent. They struggle to adjust to substandard living conditions while the renovation stalls.

The bank realizes the ruined house offers no solid security for the loan and refuses to provide more financial support. The Krcals’ financial situation deteriorates as bills pile up. The mounting pressure threatens to tear the family apart.

The ongoing crisis places great strain on Herbert and Margit's marriage. Margit files for divorce, signaling a breaking point in their relationship. The family unit seems on the verge of collapse as the cold season looms.

On Christmas Eve, Herbert sits alone in an old caravan beside the ruined house. Margit and Philipp visit him, and the boy is allowed to stay with his father for a few days. The moment underscores the fragile thread holding the family together.

While digging a cellar, the family uncovers a trove of human bones. A local policeman informs them that the house was built on an ancient mass grave for plague victims. The discovery adds a haunting layer to their already troubled home.

In a moment of desperation, Herbert becomes unhinged and takes a real estate agent hostage. After a tense standoff, he finally relinquishes, and his family moves to his side. The incident marks a dramatic turn in the family's turmoil.

Despite the chaos, the family chooses to stand together and support each other through the crisis. They reaffirm their commitment as a unit, even in the face of extraordinary circumstances. Their renewed bond is tempered by the odd events surrounding them.

Captain Kirk beams Herbert, Margit, and Philipp aboard the Enterprise, leaving the police astonished as the ship departs. The family's troubles appear to be suspended in space as they vanish from Earth. The finale blends science fiction whimsy with the film's ongoing themes of family and resilience.