In a secluded house on the Swedish coast, Alexander, a philosopher and journalist, is celebrating his birthday with family and friends. As an intellectual grappling with a sense of spiritual emptiness, Alexander finds solace in his surroundings, including his young son, named "Little Man," and their close-knit group. The peaceful gathering is abruptly interrupted when an announcement over the radio reveals that a nuclear war has begun, throwing everyone into a state of panic and despair. Amid the chaos, Alexander is profoundly impacted, feeling it is a catastrophic end to everything he cherishes in life.

As everyone else succumbs to fear and hysteria, Alexander embarks on a desperate spiritual quest to avert the impending disaster. He contemplates various actions, including making a poignant sacrifice. In a passionate plea, he reaches out to the supernatural by praying and negotiating for the safety of his loved ones and the world. Alexander's internal struggle and eventual decision form the crux of his journey, exploring themes of faith, redemption, and existential crisis. Within the confines of his isolated reality, he wrestles with questions of meaning and duty, making profound and troubling choices in an effort to alter the course of events.