A terrible flu outbreak has swept through Moscow, killing hundreds of thousands of people. Anya and her husband Sergey feel that they have no alternative but to retreat to a lake in Russia's far north. Her son and father-in-law, Sergey's ex-wife and son, and their obnoxious neighbours accompany them on their journey. But then some Sergey pals appear, rounding out Anya's list of people she'd least wish to be left with upon the end of the civilised world. As the outbreak spreads from the capital, their food and fuel supplies begin to dwindle. Menaced by both the cold Russian winter and the destitute individuals they meet, they must put their hatreds aside if they are to survive.