What Is Beyond About?
The premise of Beyond in 353 words, with nothing given away. The full story follows below.
In a world reshaped by an otherworldly catastrophe, humanity hangs on by a thread. The sky is no longer a backdrop of ordinary life; it carries a silent reminder of a force that has already altered the course of civilization. Against this stark backdrop, everyday places feel both familiar and alien, and the air is thick with a mix of desolation and the faint pulse of lingering hope. The film’s tone balances tense survival instinct with moments of fragile beauty, inviting the audience to feel the weight of a world trying to rebuild itself while still haunted by what it has lost.
At the heart of the story are two strangers whose paths converge amid the chaos. Cole, a wary survivor with a pragmatic edge, carries the scars of a life that once seemed ordinary. Maya, whose eyes reflect both curiosity and resolve, brings a quiet intensity that challenges the status quo. Their connection ignites in unexpected places, offering a glimpse of intimacy in a landscape where trust is a scarce commodity. As they learn to rely on each other, their dynamic becomes a fragile anchor, simultaneously soothing and unsettling, hinting at deeper personal histories that shape their choices.
Together, they navigate a precarious existence where every step forward is fraught with uncertainty. The world around them is a patchwork of reclaimed ruins and new dangers, each corner whispering the possibility of both salvation and further loss. Their journey is less about grand battles and more about the subtle negotiations of daily life: finding shelter, securing sustenance, and confronting the lingering echo of an unseen alien presence. Through their eyes, the audience experiences the tension between the instinct to survive and the yearning for meaning in a fractured world.
The film weaves an atmospheric, introspective narrative that asks what it means to hope when the world has already been broken. It explores how love, fear, and resilience can coexist in the shadows of catastrophe, leaving viewers caught between the stark reality of survival and the lingering promise that even in a shattered landscape, the human spirit may still find a way to rise.
What Happens in Beyond?
The complete story of Beyond, from the first scene to the last, in 620 words (about 3 minutes). Spoilers throughout. Names in the text link to 4 cast member pages.
Spoilers ahead
During a routine shopping trip, Cole encounters an armed robber who demands that the cashier, Michael, hand over all the money in the shop. Michael empties the cash register and insists there is no safe in the shop. As the robber grows more agitated, [Cole] approaches him, calls him a coward, and dares him to shoot. Michael intervenes and tries to wrestle the gun away, only to be shot in the gut. After Cole calls an ambulance, a friend invites him out for drinks, and he agrees on the condition that it isn’t a house party.
Cole is frustrated to learn that it is a house party, and he goes downstairs to drink alone, where he meets Maya, the host. The two discuss an approaching asteroid. [Maya] says that modern stress would evaporate in the face of the meaninglessness of certain doom, and Cole replies that everything would matter in that circumstance. The two dance to Maya’s favorite song and soon begin dating. A series of flashforwards depicts life in post-apocalyptic Scotland after the asteroid has arrived as [Cole] and [Maya] hide from alien spaceships, interwoven with scenes in the present that lead up to those events.
When they discuss children, Cole says he does not want any, and Maya reveals she is incapable. As the asteroid grows closer, Cole asks Maya to marry him. Maya jokingly accepts, but Cole insists that he is serious; now truly serious, Maya agrees again. Although initially dismissive of the danger, scientists grow increasingly worried about a collision. Various missions to divert the asteroid end in failure, leaving the world on edge. In the flashforwards, [Cole] and [Maya]‘s relationship deteriorates under the strain of finding food and shelter.
When Maya becomes pregnant, Cole is taken aback and insists it is cruel to have children in the face of impending disaster. Maya says it is a miracle for her to become pregnant, and she keeps the baby despite Cole’s insistence that they discuss abortion. In the flashforwards, the baby is in the care of Maya’s parents, and their relationship becomes strained over the issue. Cole accuses Maya of blaming him for their hardships, while Maya counters that his own self-loathing is driving them apart. In desperation, they resort to eating the baby food they had planned to save.
In the present, Michael expresses discontent with Cole’s refusal to accept responsibility for his wife’s pregnancy. In a flashforward, a survivor named Keith Novac explains a theory that the aliens have come to purge Earth of overpopulation and leave it better for the survivors. Novac demonstrates his attempts to contact the aliens, and Cole tells Keith that their missing child is in the care of Maya’s parents, whom they suspect have fled the country. Novac suddenly sneaks attacks them, and the film shifts back to the present time, where Cole and Maya have separated over his opposition to her pregnancy. Maya, who is about to give birth, invites Cole to the hospital.
When Cole arrives, Michael confronts him with a pistol and accuses him of betraying his own beliefs. In the face of certain death, Michael says that Cole has abdicated responsibility and treats his life as meaningless. Envious of the hope still possible in Cole’s life, Michael shoots him. Novac, a doctor, rushes from the hospital, shoots Michael, and works to save Cole’s life. As Cole begins to slip into delirium from his wound, he apparently imagines the various flashforwards based on the actions of Novac and Michael. Maya calls Cole on his mobile and tells him that the asteroid has missed Earth, and that she has given birth to a baby girl. The film ends with Cole lying on a hospital bed, Maya beside him.
Beyond Timeline: Every Key Event in Order
15 key events in the order they happen, from “Armed robbery at the shop” to “Ending: asteroid misses Earth and birth of a daughter”. 15 events name a place, across 12 locations.
- 1
Armed robbery at the shop
An armed robber demands that the cashier, Michael, hand over all the money in the safe. Michael empties the cash register and insists there is no safe in the shop, escalating the tension. The robber grows more agitated as Cole tries to defuse the situation, and Michael is shot in the gut while attempting to wrestle the gun away. Cole calls an ambulance, setting the immediate aftermath in motion.
When:Present Where:Shop
- 2
Ambulance call and drink invitation
After the shooting, Cole arranges for an ambulance and begins to piece together his night. While waiting, he receives a phone call from a friend inviting him out to drinks. He agrees to join, but only if it isn’t a house party, signaling a desire to escape the chaos for a moment. The moment marks a shift from danger to a social lure that pulls him toward something normal.
When:Immediate aftermath Where:Outside the shop / vicinity
- 3
Cole meets Maya and they start dating
Cole goes downstairs to a house party hosted by Maya and meets her, sparking an immediate connection. The two discuss existential ideas, including the approaching asteroid, which frames their budding relationship. They share a dance and soon begin dating, drawn together by their shared tension with the looming disaster. Their chemistry becomes a counterpoint to the crisis unfolding in the world outside.
When:Evening of the party Where:Maya's house
- 4
Flashforwards to post-apocalyptic Scotland
A series of flashforwards depicts life in a devastated Scotland after the asteroid arrives. Cole and Maya hide from alien spaceships while food and shelter grow scarce, painting a stark portrait of survival. The scenes alternate with the present relationship, showing how love endures under extreme external pressures. These visions underscore the fragile balance between hope and despair.
When:Post-asteroid era Where:Scotland (post-asteroid)
- 5
Children and fertility tensions
During their evolving relationship, Cole reveals he does not want children. Maya then reveals she is unable to conceive. The couple faces a fundamental question about legacy and meaning in a world under threat, complicating their future plans together. This revelation seeds conflict that echoes through later choices.
When:Early period Where:Unknown
- 6
A serious marriage proposal
Cole asks Maya to marry him, attempting to move their relationship toward permanence. Maya initially treats the proposal as a joke, but Cole remains earnest and presses the point. After a moment of doubt, she agrees, signaling a commitment even as the asteroid looms closer.
When:Pre-birth Where:Maya's home
- 7
Scientific concern and failed diverting missions
Scientists grow increasingly worried as the asteroid's approach accelerates. Multiple missions to divert or deflect the object end in failure, keeping humanity on edge. The sense of global peril heightens the personal stakes for Cole and Maya, who are trying to plan a life together amid the crisis.
When:Approaching asteroid Where:Global labs / research facilities
- 8
Relationships strained by hardship
In the flashforwards, the couple's relationship deteriorates as food and shelter become scarce. The stress of survival tests their trust and support for one another. Even as they cling to each other, the external pressures threaten their bond and complicate their plans for the future.
When:Post-asteroid era Where:Scotland / post-asteroid world
- 9
Maya becomes pregnant
Maya becomes pregnant, catching Cole off guard and complicating their previously agreed plans. He argues that bringing a child into a doomed world is cruel, while Maya insists it is a miracle and chooses to keep the baby. The pregnancy becomes a focal point of their conflict and a symbol of hope amid catastrophe.
When:Late pre-birth Where:Present
- 10
Baby care in a strained world
In the flashforwards, the baby ends up in the care of Maya's parents, and Cole and Maya's relationship strains under the weight of new responsibilities. Food becomes scarce, and the couple even resorts to eating saved baby food as they wrestle with guilt and survival. The harsh conditions intensify their personal rifts and questions about family.
When:Post-birth Where:Maya's parents' care / post-birth
Show the other 5 events of Beyond Hide the last 5 events
- 11
Novac's theory of alien intervention
In a flashforward, a survivor named Keith Novac theorizes that aliens have come to purge Earth of overpopulation. He demonstrates his attempts to contact the aliens, fueling Cole's skepticism and despair. Cole then reveals that their missing child is believed to be in the care of Maya's parents, adding a personal stake to the broader mystery.
When:Flashforward Where:Various locations
- 12
Separation and a return to the present
Novac's observations trigger a shift back toward the present, and Cole and Maya find themselves separated over the pregnancy dispute. The strain of their differing visions for the future compounds the rift between them. The separation signals a turning point where personal choices collide with existential threats.
When:After Novac's intervention Where:Present
- 13
Hospital arrival and confrontation
Maya invites Cole to the hospital to confront the situation surrounding her pregnancy. Michael confronts Cole with a pistol, accusing him of abandoning his beliefs and betraying his own life’s meaning. The confrontation heightens the danger and foregrounds the moral questions at the heart of the story.
When:Present Where:Hospital
- 14
Shooting and a surgeon's intervention
Michael shoots Cole in a moment of vulnerability, but Novac, who is also a doctor, rushes in and shoots Michael, then works to save Cole's life. The scene fuses personal betrayal with the chance of redemption through medical intervention. Cole teeters on the edge as life and death intersect with the mysterious flashforwards.
When:Present Where:Hospital
- 15
Ending: asteroid misses Earth and birth of a daughter
Maya calls Cole to say the asteroid has missed Earth and that she has given birth to a baby girl. Cole, recovering on a hospital bed, faces a renewed sense of purpose and possibility. The final images place Maya by his side as they confront an uncertain but hopeful future together.
When:Ending Where:Hospital
Who Are the Main Characters in Beyond?
4 characters, among them Cole (Richard J. Danum), Maya (Gillian McGregor) and Michael (Paul Brannigan): who each one is and the part they play in the story. Every profile links to the actor’s page.
- C(
Cole (Richard J. Danum)
Played by Richard J. Danum
An introspective man who grapples with responsibility and meaning after his world-shaking experiences. Cole starts skeptical about bringing a child into a doomed world, but his relationship with Maya forces him to confront hope, commitment, and his own fears. He oscillates between withdrawal and determined effort to protect those he loves as chaos unfolds.
- 🧭 Responsibility
- 🌌 Existentialism
- 💔 Relationships
- M(
Maya (Gillian McGregor)
Played by Gillian McGregor
A host who becomes the center of Cole's life; she navigates pregnancy, desire for connection, and the decision to bring a child into a collapsing world. Maya demonstrates resilience and optimism, arguing for meaning and love even as danger approaches. Her choices test themes of motherhood and devotion under extreme stress.
- 💖 Love
- 👶 Parenthood
- 🌍 Survival
- M(
Michael (Paul Brannigan)
Played by Paul Brannigan
A cashier who embodies frustration with Cole’s perceived evasions and betrayal. His actions—leading to a brutal confrontation—force a harsh reckoning about responsibility and the price of hope. Michael's opposition to Cole's beliefs fuels the film's tension and questions about meaning.
- ⚖️ Morality
- 🔫 Violence
- 🕰️ Tension
- KN
Keith Novac (Kristian Hart)
Played by Kristian Hart
A survivor who claims aliens will purge Earth to make it livable for the few, challenging characters to confront an external mystery beyond human control. Novac embodies scientific obsession and fatalism, offering unsettling theories that intersect with the protagonists’ struggle for meaning. He acts decisively, blurring lines between salvation and danger.
- 🧪 Science
- 🛰️ Alien contact
- 🧭 Hope
Where and When Is Beyond Set?
Beyond is set in Scotland (Present day to near-future). Here is why the time and place matter to the story.
When
Present day to near-future
The narrative moves between the present day and a looming near-future era when an asteroid threatens Earth. Flashforwards reveal a post-apocalyptic Scotland after the impact, showing how time fractures into memory and loss. Scientists race against time to divert the asteroid, while everyday lives unravel under the weight of uncertainty.
Where
Scotland
The story unfolds primarily in Scotland, depicted as a near-deserted landscape scarred by disaster. It traces both intimate spaces like a shop and Maya's host home, and the broader, ruined country as resources dwindle. The setting emphasizes isolation, scarcity, and the struggle for shelter as civilization reels from impending doom.
- 🗺️ Scotland
- 🏚️ Post-apocalyptic setting
What Are the Themes of Beyond?
3 ideas the story keeps returning to, among them Existentialism, Love under Pressure and Existential Responsibility.
-
01
Existentialism
The film centers on whether life retains meaning in the face of certain doom. Cole and Maya debate whether hope matters when catastrophe seems inevitable, and their dialogue frames the crisis as a test of character. The flashforwards imply that meaning can persist through acts of care and commitment, even as the world unravels. The question remains: can individuals create purpose when the future seems predetermined toward disaster?
-
02
Love under Pressure
Maya and Cole's romance endures amid scarcity, danger, and the knowledge of impending disaster. Their relationship is tested by pregnancy, contested futures, and the pull between personal happiness and collective peril. Love becomes a counterforce to nihilism, driving sacrifices and moments of tenderness in a deteriorating world. The film uses their bond to show how affection can anchor people when everything else collapses.
-
03
Existential Responsibility
Responsibility and agency are tested as characters confront an existential threat. Cole's decisions about family, abortion, and survival reveal his struggle to reconcile personal values with a collapsing reality. The dangerous interplay between fate and choice questions whether individuals can shape their destinies when time is running out. The narrative suggests that responsibility becomes a guiding force in a world moving toward chaos.
What Kind of Film Is Beyond?
Tense in tone, with variable pacing and a moderate story, going by the plot summary.
- Tone
- Tense
- Pacing
- Variable
- Story
- Moderate
- Intensity
- High
- Ending
- Bittersweet
A tense and melancholic journey through a post-apocalyptic landscape, interweaving a couple's strained romance with the grim realities of survival, creating a consistently anxious and emotionally heavy atmosphere.
- suspenseful
- anxious
- melancholic
- desperate
- strained
- tense
- apocalypse
- survival
- turbulent relationship
- parenting under duress
Content notes: gun violence, attempted murder, apocalyptic disaster, child endangerment, desperate survival acts.
Quiz
How well do you remember Beyond? Test yourself on the story.
