A terrified woman, Alex Paxton-Beesley, and a man, Eric Murdoc, flee down a dimly lit corridor, desperately banging on a door and shouting for help. In a bleak future, humanity is forced to live underground as a new Ice Age ravages the planet, and the few survivors strive to sustain civilization while hoping for a brighter tomorrow. At the helm of Colony 7 is Briggs, portrayed by Laurence Fishburne, who faces severe challenges in maintaining order amidst dwindling supplies of food and medicine. The colony battles the looming threat of a flu outbreak which has already taken twenty lives, prompting Briggs to implement a stringent 40-day quarantine protocol.
As the flu epidemic sweeps through Colony 7, Briggs is faced with a chilling decision: those who remain ill post-quarantine either face execution or venture outside to fend for themselves in the unforgiving frozen wilderness. This harsh reality ignites tensions within the colony; Mason, played by Bill Paxton, takes drastic action by killing Hal, portrayed by Sten Eirik, fearing his return could jeopardize everyone’s survival. Sam, a key character brought to life by Kevin Zegers, tries to advocate for compassion, arguing that Hal's departure is a necessary act of survival, one that ultimately leads to resource conservation.
The situation escalates when an SOS signal from Colony 5 is received after a two-day silence, leading Briggs to convene a meeting where he passionately expresses his disdain for Mason’s recent actions. As preparations for the journey to Colony 5 unfold, Sam volunteers to accompany Briggs, even as others, like Graydon, portrayed by Atticus Dean Mitchell, express hesitation. The chill of despair sets in as the colony grapples with illness, culminating in panic when a coughing fit interrupts the meeting. Briggs entrusts Kai, played by Charlotte Sullivan, with the leadership role during his absence.
On their harrowing journey through a perilous frozen landscape, Sam is haunted by vivid memories of his childhood and lost loved ones. The trio faces numerous obstacles, from navigating a treacherous, icy bridge to discovering the grim aftermath of those who perished in their fight for survival. Stumbling upon a haunting scene involving a frozen truck and a couple who met a tragic fate, they are reminded of the desperation that encompasses this new world.
Upon their arrival at Colony 5, they are horrified to encounter pools of blood and signs of slaughter, marking a stark contrast to the fragile hope they carried. Leland, portrayed by Julian Richinds, reveals a message about a colony that found a way to rejuvenate the land, but as they search for assistance, sinister figures lurk in the shadows. The tension escalates when they confront cannibals whose gruesome practices endanger their lives. In a desperate struggle, Graydon loses his life, forcing Briggs and Sam to flee.
Back at Colony 7, Mason's oppressive leadership becomes even more tyrannical, leading to tragic consequences. As Sam struggles for freedom, he and Kai hatch a plan to uncover life beyond the frost, utilising Kai’s satellite connection to find a promising area. As chaos erupts with the arrival of the cannibals, Sam bravely fights to defend Colony 7 and ultimately confronts Mason's oppressive rule. Through grit and determination, a small group escapes, armed with newfound knowledge of survival, as they embark on a quest for a warmer existence amidst the chilling remnants of their past.
