The Zone of Interest

In 1943, commandant Rudolf Höss lives in a seemingly peaceful home with his wife, Hedwig, and their five children. Despite their tranquil domestic life, the sounds of gunfire and the brutal operations of Auschwitz loom just outside their garden walls, creating a stark contrast to their daily activities.

Rudolf enjoys quiet moments with his children, engaging in activities like fishing and swimming. Meanwhile, Hedwig tends to their garden, unperturbed by the grim reality unfolding just beyond their immediate surroundings, symbolizing their denial of the atrocities occurring at the camp.

Rudolf actively participates in the construction of a new crematorium, a dark symbol of the horrors being perpetrated at Auschwitz. This significant decision highlights his complicity in the system and foreshadows the intensifying brutality of the camp.

Rudolf is confronted with the abhorrent reality of his work when he discovers human remains floating in a nearby river. He promptly removes his children from the water, issuing a reprimand to his staff, illustrating his attempt to shield his family from the grim realities of the camp.

As horrors unfold at Auschwitz, a brave Polish girl risks her life to deliver food to the prisoners. Her courageous actions provide a faint glimmer of hope amid the systematic brutality, demonstrating the human spirit's resilience in the face of overwhelming darkness.

Rudolf receives news of his promotion to deputy inspector of all concentration camps, which requires his family to move to Oranienburg near Berlin. Torn between his career and his family's happiness, Rudolf grapples with his emotions, delaying the announcement of this major change.

When Rudolf finally reveals his promotion, Hedwig implores him to stay in their beloved home. Their negotiation highlights the tension within the family, as they navigate the intersection of personal affection and the demands of Rudolf’s career in the Nazi regime.

Hedwig's mother visits the family, and her presence brings additional tension as she is horrified by the sight of crematorium flames visible at night. The visit ends with her departure, leaving behind a scathing note that Hedwig reacts to with anger, underlining the differences in their perspectives on morality.

Months later, Rudolf gains notoriety for directing a horrific operation involving the transportation of 700,000 Hungarian Jews to Auschwitz for extermination. This grim assignment allows him to return to Auschwitz, further entrenching him in the machinery of death.

At a celebratory gathering for the successful operation, Rudolf reflects on the grotesque efficiency of the system he serves. This chilling moment reveals the psychological toll of his actions as he contemplates the horror of gassing helpless victims.

As the weight of his actions becomes overwhelming, Rudolf descends the stairs of his Berlin office, grappling with nausea and despair. This moment symbolizes the emotional chasm he faces as he juggles his family life with the atrocities committed under his command.

In the present day, a team of janitors is seen cleaning the Auschwitz-Birkenau State Museum, serving as a haunting reminder of the past. Their mundane act juxtaposes the horrific history that took place on the site, revealing the weight of collective memory.

As Rudolf continues his descent into the depths of Auschwitz, the boundaries between his family existence and the horrors of his profession increasingly blur. His position within the concentration camp reflects the struggle between personal life and the inhumanity surrounding him.