The Domestic

Set in the immediate aftermath of a catastrophic chemical attack, the world outside is a fractured, lawless landscape. Survivors cling to scarce resources and form ad-hoc communities while rival gangs jockey for territory. The atmosphere is bleak and tense, with danger lurking in every abandoned street and empty home.

The action largely unfolds in and around Milwaukee, a city that has become a frontier where scarce resources and shifting loyalties shape daily life. The broader country is depicted as fractured after a government chemical attack, producing walled territories controlled by rival gangs and a tense, watchful civilian population. Abandoned houses, makeshift refuge sites, and improvised communities mark the landscape as survivors navigate danger and fragile peace.

🧭 Survival

Survival drives almost every decision, from scavenging for supplies to choosing alliances with neighbors. The Domestics seek peace in a world ruled by Gangs, testing loyalties and moral lines. Rumors of cannibalism and constant threat force characters to weigh safety against justice and humanity. The film centers on how far people will go to endure.

💔 Relationships

The core relationship between Mark and Nina is strained, then rekindled, highlighting fragile trust amid chaos. Betsy’s fascination with Nina introduces tension from within and outside the couple, while Nathan’s quest for vengeance evolves into forgiveness. Family bonds are tested as tragedy and violence ripple through the community.

🔥 Power & Violence

Gangs—Gamblers, Plowboys, Nailers, and the rumored child gang—capture territory and enforce brutal control. The plot features hostage-taking, gun battles, and a deadly Russian roulette game that exposes how quickly power corrupts and collapses moral norms. The film suggests that dominance and punishment replace institutions, until acts of mercy and solidarity offer a glimmer of hope.