In the aftermath of World War II, as the Allied forces take control of a ruined Germany, a teenage girl named Lore and her four younger siblings are thrust into a perilous journey. With their Nazi parents imprisoned by the Allies, the children must fend for themselves, traveling over 500 miles to their grandmother's house in Hamburg. Deprived of guidance and supplies, Lore grapples with the catastrophic collapse of the only world she has known, forcing her to confront harsh survival realities and the ideological remnants of her upbringing.

As they forge ahead through war-torn landscapes and encounter desperate, distrustful survivors, Lore's blind faith in her parents' beliefs is challenged by the brutal truths around her. As hunger and danger close in, a mysterious Jewish refugee named Thomas appears, offering assistance. Lore's struggle with her indoctrination and emerging empathy conflicts with the need to trust Thomas, who represents everything she was taught to despise. The children's arduous trek pushes them to the brink, demanding resilience and resourcefulness, ultimately reshaping Lore's understanding of identity, loyalty, and morality.