In the midst of World War I, a young German soldier, Paul Bäumer, enlists in the army with his friends, motivated by patriotic fervor and the glorification of war. They are quickly disabused of their naive notions of heroism and adventure. Upon arrival at the Western Front, Paul and his schoolmates encounter the harsh realities of trench warfare. They struggle to maintain their sanity and humanity amidst the constant threat of death, grueling conditions, and the abrupt loss of their fellow soldiers. The recruits grapple with fear, despair, and the sense of futility as the brutalities of war chip away at their spirits.

As days turn into weeks, Paul's initial enthusiasm gives way to survival instincts and a desperate longing for peace. He forges a bond with a seasoned soldier, Stanislaus "Kat" Katczinsky, who becomes a mentor and friend, guiding him through the difficulties of life on the front line. Through a series of harrowing experiences, including gas attacks, hand-to-hand combat, and the witnessing of death and suffering, Paul's perception of the war’s purpose begins to shift. The once idealistic group of friends are forced to confront the stark contrast between the romanticized version of war they had been taught and the grim reality they are living.