What Is Radius About?
The premise of Radius in 291 words, with nothing given away. The full story follows below.
In the stark, wind‑battered outskirts of a remote town, a lone driver awakens from a devastating crash with no memory of who he is or how he got there. The world he steps into feels both familiar and unsettlingly silent, its ordinary veneer cracked by a pervasive sense of dread. As he drifts through empty diners and deserted streets, the unsettling reality emerges: the very air around him seems lethal, turning the simple act of drawing near into a dangerous gamble. The atmosphere is drenched in muted grays and cold light, letting the silence itself become a character that heightens the tension.
Liam quickly learns that his amnesia is only the beginning of the mystery. With each tentative step, he confronts the terrifying possibility that something about him is causing the surrounding dead‑eyes and lifeless bodies, forcing him into a solitary existence defined by distance and caution. The film leans heavily on atmospheric suspense, using tight framing and hushed sound design to make every breath feel like a potential threat. The tone is a careful blend of psychological thriller and eerie sci‑fi, where the unknown is as deadly as any visible foe.
Amid the isolation, another amnesiac figure appears, offering a fragile thread of connection in a world that insists on keeping people apart. Their shared lack of recollection creates a tentative partnership built on curiosity and mutual survival, driving them to piece together clues about the accident that shattered their memories. Together, they must navigate a landscape where every encounter could prove fatal, all while seeking answers about the invisible force that defines their existence. The story spins a haunting tale of identity, trust, and the relentless pursuit of truth in a place where even proximity becomes a perilous choice.
What Happens in Radius?
The complete story of Radius, from the first scene to the last, in 656 words (about 3 minutes). Spoilers throughout. Names in the text link to 3 cast member pages.
Spoilers ahead
A man wakes from a car crash suffering with amnesia. After the accident, he flags down a passing car, but the driver dies in the crash as it swerves off the road. He checks his wallet and discovers the name Liam Hartwell. With no memory of who he is or where he belongs, Liam trudges toward a nearby town and stops at a roadside diner, only to find the entire place abandoned and everyone inside dead. Believing the air to be contaminated, he uses a torn piece of his shirt to cover his nose and mouth and presses on.
Following a map from the diner and the address on his driver’s license, Liam locates his house. Inside, news reports hint at biological warfare, and he begins sealing the windows with tape. Peering outside, he spots a farmer and rushes to warn him to leave the area, but the farmer collapses and dies. Liam notices that animals nearby also die, and he realizes he is the cause of the unexplained deaths, not a virus.
A woman also suffering with amnesia arrives at Liam’s home, revealing that she was with him during the crash. The woman, [Jane Doe], has a calmness around Liam that permits her to approach him without dying, which frightens Liam because neither of them knows why they were traveling together or what caused the crash. The two of them investigate the crash site and discover a charred circle. Liam shares his theory about the deaths, while Jane reacts with fear and asks Liam to keep his distance. A passing police officer encounters them and dies when Jane walks away.
To prove his point, Liam uses a goat to demonstrate that living beings near him die unless Jane stays within a certain distance—within about 15 meters. Jane, who was CT scanned after the crash, agrees they should be tested, so they drive to a hospital. By now, Liam knows he is linked to the deaths and is wanted by the police. Officers arrive as a doctor informs Liam that he is healthy. Fearing separation, Liam and Jane flee. Jane briefly recalls a missing-person poster, and when she refocuses, Liam has already entered an elevator without her. He urges the occupants to leave as soon as the doors open, while he tries to isolate himself until Jane can rejoin him. They eventually leave the hospital together, relieved that no one else has died.
A news report finally reveals Rose Daerwood as Jane’s true name. Her husband, Sam, pleads for her to come home. Rose convinces Liam that they should seek Sam’s help, but Sam is slow to believe their story. Liam once again demonstrates the pattern of animal deaths when they get too close to him. Sam explains that Rose disappeared while searching for her missing twin sister, Lily. Rose recalls being suicidal and that Liam saved her life. As Liam and Rose grow closer, Sam becomes jealous. The couple plans to flee to Liam’s remote cabin, but Sam calls the police and then regrets it, warning them too late. A chaotic pursuit follows—police officers and bystanders die as Liam and Rose are separated, forcing Sam to concede to the plan.
On the way to the cabin, Liam and Rose learn that an unexplained cosmic anomaly struck Earth at the spot of their accident. While exploring the cabin, Rose uncovers evidence that Liam is a serial killer who abducted and killed her sister Lily. Separately, Liam remembers attempting to abduct and kill Rose at the time of the cosmic anomaly. Confronting Liam, Rose is taken hostage along with Liam by a man and his two adult sons. The father orders his sons to kill Liam. Rose allows them to separate her from Liam, and the remaining son shoots Rose. Liam’s aura kills the remaining son, and Liam drives Rose to the hospital. There, as Rose is taken away for treatment, Liam shoots himself in the head.
Radius Timeline: Every Key Event in Order
12 key events in the order they happen, from “Amnesia and crash wake-up” to “Final act: Liam’s death and Rose’s treatment”. 12 events name a place, across 11 locations.
- 1
Amnesia and crash wake-up
A man awakens from a car crash with no memory of who he is. He flags down a passing car, only for the driver to die in a desperate swerve. He checks his wallet and learns his name is Liam Hartwell, realizing he has no idea where he came from or who he is.
When:Moment of waking / crash Where:Roadside
- 2
Diner discovery: all patrons dead
Liam reaches a roadside diner hoping to find help, but discovers everyone inside is dead. He assumes the air might be poisonous and tents his shirt over his nose so he can breathe. He leaves the diner and continues toward town, unsettled and alone.
When:Shortly after crash Where:Roadside diner
- 3
Finding his house and alarming news
Using a map and the address on his license, Liam locates his house. News reports mention possible biological warfare, prompting him to seal a window with tape. The sense of danger tightens around him as he surveys the quiet neighborhood.
When:After diner Where:Liam's house
- 4
Realization of a deadly aura
From his vantage point outside, a farmer in the vicinity dies, followed by animals near him. Liam grasps that the deaths are linked to his presence, not a virus, and the panic settles in as he struggles to control what is happening.
When:Soon after sealing windows Where:Near his house
- 5
Jane Doe arrives with amnesia
A woman also suffering amnesia comes to Liam's home, claiming she was with him during the crash. Strangely she can come close to him without dying, challenging Liam's understanding of his own condition. They decide to investigate their shared memory of the crash.
When:Shortly after Where:Liam's house
- 6
Crash site investigation and charred circle
Liam and Jane drive to the crash site to search for clues. They uncover a charred circle on the ground, and Liam articulates a theory that the deaths are connected to his presence. A passing police officer confronts them and dies when Jane retreats from the scene.
When:During investigation Where:Crash site
- 7
Goat test and hospital plans
To prove the danger, Liam uses a goat to show that nearby living beings die unless Jane stays within 15 metres. Jane had a CT scan after the crash, and they decide Liam should be tested as well, heading toward a hospital for evaluation.
When:Immediately after officer incident Where:Rural road to hospital
- 8
Hospital visit and escape
At the hospital, a doctor confirms Liam is physically healthy, but the lingering fear of police separation drives the couple to flee. Jane hesitates for a moment at the elevator, while Liam steps inside alone, urges others to leave as the doors open, and eventually rejoines her as they exit together.
When:Shortly after arrival Where:Hospital
- 9
Jane’s identity revealed; Sam’s appeal
A news report identifies Jane as Rose Daerwood, whose husband Sam pleads for her safe return. Rose persuades Liam that they should seek help, though Sam remains skeptical. Liam again demonstrates the animal deaths to prove their connection, while Sam recalls Rose’s disappearance while searching for her missing sister Lily.
When:After hospital escape Where:Newsroom / public space
- 10
Cosmic anomaly foreshadows the journey to the cabin
On their way toward Liam’s remote cabin, they learn an unexplained cosmic anomaly struck Earth at the site of their earlier accident. They press on to the cabin, where Rose discovers hints that Liam may have abducted and killed her sister Lily, while Liam recalls an attempt to abduct Rose at the moment of the anomaly.
When:During escape to cabin Where:Road to cabin / cabin
- 11
Hostage confrontation at the cabin
A man and his two adult sons seize Liam and Rose, and the father orders the sons to kill Liam. Rose chooses to separate herself from Liam, triggering a violent chain of deaths: the father and one son die, while the remaining son shoots Rose.
When:Climax Where:Liam's cabin
- 12
Final act: Liam’s death and Rose’s treatment
Liam’s aura eliminates the remaining attacker, and he drives Rose to the hospital for urgent treatment. Rose is taken in for care as Liam, wounded by his own actions, shoots himself in the head, ending their intertwined destinies.
When:Ending Where:En route to hospital / hospital
Who Are the Main Characters in Radius?
5 characters, among them Liam Hartwell (Diego Klattenhoff), Rose Daerwood (Jane Doe) and Sam Hartwell: who each one is and the part they play in the story. Every profile links to the actor’s page.
- LH
Liam Hartwell (Diego Klattenhoff)
Played by Diego Klattenhoff
A man who wakes with amnesia and discovers his presence triggers lethal events around him. He struggles to understand who he is while trying to protect Rose, often oscillating between desperation and resolve. His power to kill nearby life forces him into isolation, complicating moral choices until he confronts the truth of his past.
- 🧠 Amnesia
- 🧪 Aura Power
- 🧭 Survival
- RD
Rose Daerwood (Jane Doe)
Played by Charlotte Sullivan
An amnesiac woman who traveled with Liam and unexpectedly becomes his ally. She can approach Liam without dying, hinting at a shared condition. Her search for a missing sister Lily drives her decisions and deepens the mystery surrounding their connection.
- ❤️ Relationship
- 🧭 Identity
- 🧪 Amnesia
- SH
Sam Hartwell
Played by Brett Donahue
Rose’s husband, initially skeptical and jealous of Liam. He pushes for answers and ultimately supports a risky plan to flee, becoming a catalyst for the couple’s decisions under pressure.
- 💑 Jealousy
- 🚨 Danger
- 🕵️ Investigation
- SL
Sheriff Laredo
Played by Joe Cobden
A law enforcement figure who pursues the fugitives and pieces together the mystery. He embodies the tension between protecting the public and respecting the couple’s precarious situation; his presence marks the narrative’s escalating threat.
- 👮 Police
- 🌫️ Chase
- 🕵️ Investigation
- DM
Dr. Mayborne
Played by Bradley Sawatzky
A hospital doctor who assesses Liam’s condition and ultimately confirms he is healthy, underscoring the strange dissonance between medical science and the bizarre deaths linked to Liam.
- ⚕️ Medical
- 🧪 Science
- 👨⚕️ Doctor
Where and When Is Radius Set?
Radius is set in Town, Roadside Diner, Farm, Hospital and Remote Cabin (Present day). Here is why the time and place matter to the story.
When
Present day
The events unfold in contemporary times, with modern technology such as cars, CT scans, 911, and hospital procedures. Liam and Rose’s desperate flight operates within a recognizable near-present world, until a cosmic anomaly injects a sci-fi twist. The pace follows a contemporary thriller rhythm, focused on immediacy and containment rather than historical context.
Where
Town, Roadside Diner, Farm, Hospital, Remote Cabin
A quiet rural setting frames the story, spanning a small town, a roadside diner, a farm, a hospital, and a remote cabin. The town feels isolated as unexplained deaths begin to occur near the protagonist. The diner is left as an eerie, empty waypoint; hospitals and cabins become the backdrops for pursuit, testing, and survival.
- 🧭 Rural
- 🧪 Biohazard
- 🚨 Thriller
- 🏚️ Desolate
What Are the Themes of Radius?
3 ideas the story keeps returning to, among them Proximity, Love vs Trust and Memory & Identity.
-
01
Proximity
Liam’s aura makes nearby living beings die, forcing characters to reckon with the cost of closeness. The film uses this rule to explore moral choice, fear, and isolation. Proximity becomes a weapon as well as a burden, driving characters apart and together in turns.
-
02
Love vs Trust
The relationship between Liam and Rose tests loyalty and truth under pressure. Trust wavers as past traumas and hidden truths surface, revealing the danger that companionship can attract. Their bond becomes both a lifeline and a liability as they flee together.
-
03
Memory & Identity
Amnesia frames the central mystery: who are Liam and Rose, and why are they connected to the deaths? The search for memory drives the plot and forces characters to define themselves by actions rather than names. Identity is reassembled through shared peril and the unraveling of secrets.
What Kind of Film Is Radius?
Dark in tone, with steady pacing and a moderate story, going by the plot summary.
- Tone
- Dark
- Pacing
- Steady
- Story
- Moderate
- Intensity
- High
- Ending
- Sad
A relentlessly tense and grim psychological thriller that traps its protagonists in a deadly predicament, creating an atmosphere of paranoia and tragic self-discovery as they uncover a horrifying secret.
- suspenseful
- anxious
- isolated
- grim
- paranoid
- melancholic
- amnesia
- supernatural curse
- survival
- memory and identity
Content notes: suicide, mass death, animal death, gun violence, fatal car accident.
Quiz
How well do you remember Radius? Test yourself on the story.
