As the sun dips below the horizon in the parched landscapes of South America, three distinguished scientists—Dr. Laura Sommerfield, Dr. Fabio Cavani, and Dr. Arnold Meir—find themselves unexpectedly transported to the treacherous expanses of Salar de Uyuni, a toxic salt flat. Their journey is part of a United Nations inquiry into a disastrous ecological crisis that has unfolded due to the diversion of two rivers for agricultural irrigation, resulting in a rapidly expanding and dangerously contaminated habitat.
Upon their arrival, the scientists' plans take a sinister turn as they are captured by the unpredictable CEO (Michael Shannon) of the corporation behind the environmental calamity. His intentions remain enigmatic; he is both haunted by the results of the catastrophe and bewildered by its broader implications. Unbeknownst to the scientists, their capture is merely a prelude to a far graver threat—the awakening of the ancient supervolcano, Uturunku, which threatens to erupt with catastrophic consequences.
As tension rises, the two male scientists face an unsettling form of restraint, forced to consume mysterious food that causes agonizing digestive pain, leaving them powerless to communicate about their dire situation. In a stark contrast, Dr. Sommerfield embarks on a harrowing journey into the heart of the barren salt flat, finding herself trapped with two young children, Huascar and Atahualpa. The children's names are a tribute to the last independent rulers of the Incan Empire, who famously fought against one another. Provisioned with only a week's worth of food, their survival hinges on a precarious edge as they grapple with the terrifying possibility of being deserted in such a merciless environment.
As the CEO's malicious plan unfolds, Dr. Sommerfield is thrust into a desperate struggle for survival, alongside the two innocent boys who are revealed to be his adopted children—their blindness symbolizing the tragic fallout of the very disaster caused by the CEO's conglomerate. The CEO's intentions are intricately malevolent: by orchestrating Dr. Sommerfield's isolation, he aims to manipulate her into crafting a poignant report—not just filled with figures, but one that encapsulates the profound human suffering resulting from the catastrophe. At a critical moment, the CEO shocks Dr. Sommerfield by disclosing his familial tie to the children, adding a layer of emotional complexity to their dire situation.
Faced with this staggering revelation, the CEO extends an unexpected olive branch to Dr. Sommerfield: a first-class ticket to Rome and an invitation to visit the Santissima Trinità dei Monti convent—a place of deep personal significance for him. He yearns for her to experience the beauty of its cloister, intricately adorned with a compelling anamorphic fresco depicting Saint Francis of Paula in communion with nature. As the stakes rise and the CEO’s future dangles precariously, Dr. Sommerfield earnestly implores him to accompany her on her journey, pleading that he reconsider the path leading to his own inevitable destruction. Nevertheless, he remains steadfast, convinced that his capture is merely a stepping stone toward an impending collapse.
