The Keeping Room

As the American Civil War nears its end, three Southern women find themselves in a precarious situation without male protection. Augusta, her sister Louise, and Mad, an African-American slave, are isolated and must navigate the dangers that come with changing times.

The calmness of their rural life shatters with the unexpected arrival of two rogue soldiers who have deserted from the Union Army. Their presence brings an air of chaos, threatening the stability of the women's secluded existence.

In a desperate effort to find medicine for her ailing sister, Augusta ventures out. This quest leads her to discover the grim fate of a neighbor, who has met a tragic end due to poison, further highlighting the dangers of their surroundings.

Augusta's visit to a nearby tavern yields no help as the barkeep warns her of impending danger. This moment foreshadows the chaos about to erupt when she encounters the rogue soldiers, Moses and Henry.

The tranquility of the night is shattered as the three women confront Moses and Henry. Their violent intentions become apparent, leading to a frightening confrontation that changes their lives forever.

In a frenzied shootout, Henry inflicts a horrific act upon Louise, leading to Mad's fierce retaliation against him. In the midst of chaos, Augusta manages to severely injure Moses, leaving him alive but incapacitated.

After the tumultuous events, the trio gathers in their kitchen where Mad shares her traumatic past. She recounts the horrors she has endured, adding a layer of emotional depth to their dire circumstances.

Unexpectedly, Bill, Mad's long-lost lover, arrives but meets a tragic fate due to Augusta's accidental gunfire. His dying words carry a grave warning of impending danger, leaving the women to grapple with their choices.

The next morning, the women find Moses barely alive. He reveals that he is a 'bummer'—a scout for the advancing army—and issues a chilling warning about the ruthless forces approaching, impelling Augusta to take drastic action.

In a moment of cold pragmatism, Augusta extinguishes Moses's life, realizing the grim realities of their situation. This act symbolizes her transformation from a protective caretaker to a fighter against the horrors of war.

As night falls, the three women deliberate their options for survival. With a fierce determination to protect their home, they decide to don the uniforms of their fallen enemies, committing to defend their space at all costs.

As a final act of defiance, the women set their house ablaze. The flames serve not just as a signal to the approaching army but also as a powerful symbol of their indomitable spirit and refusal to submit to fear.

The scene shifts to the three women merging into the darkness as they prepare to face the Union Army. Their resolve hardens as they await the oncoming threat, embodying the essence of survival in a ravaged war.

With the Union Army's advance imminent, the women brace themselves for the chaos that is about to envelop their lives. They understand that they will either become victims or fighters in the face of relentless destruction.