A young Finnish woman named Laura boards a long-distance train in Moscow, headed to the remote Russian arctic city of Murmansk. Her initial plan is to see the ancient petroglyphs, a trip initially intended to be taken with her girlfriend, Irina, who has since canceled. Alone and somewhat disheartened, Laura finds herself sharing a cramped compartment with a brusque and abrasive Russian miner named Ljoha. Their stark differences are immediately apparent—Laura with her quiet introspection and love of history, Ljoha with his rough edges and boisterous mannerisms, fueled by copious amounts of vodka.

As the journey progresses through the bleak, snowy landscape, the walls of prejudice and assumptions begin to crack slightly. Laura’s initial discomfort starts to thaw as both she and Ljoha are pushed by circumstances to interact more meaningfully. Despite their cultural and personal differences, unexpected moments of connection emerge as their mutual isolation on the train prompts vulnerability. The journey challenges Laura’s perspectives and forces her to confront what she truly desires from life. As the train rattles along its tracks towards its cold destination, the encounters within the confines of their small compartment evolve, subtly shifting the boundaries of their worlds.