What Is What We Become About?
The premise of What We Become in 284 words, with nothing given away. The full story follows below.
In the quiet, sun‑drenched streets of Sorgenfri, a modest Danish suburb, the promise of endless summer is suddenly shadowed by a looming crisis. A mysterious plague spreads through the town, prompting authorities to impose a strict lockdown that seals families inside their homes and turns once‑familiar neighborhoods into isolated islands. The atmosphere becomes a blend of ordinary domestic life and an unsettling sense of confinement, where every creak of a window and flicker of a streetlight feels charged with hidden danger.
At the heart of this tension is a family of four trying to preserve a sense of normalcy. Dino, the steady‑hand father, attempts to shield his loved ones from panic, while Pernille, his caring wife, clings to the small comforts that still feel within reach. Their children, Maj and Gustav, embody the conflicting emotions of youth caught in extraordinary circumstances—Maj’s tender affection for her pet rabbit offers a fragile anchor to innocence, whereas Gustav’s restless curiosity pushes him toward the unknown edges of their sealed world. A new neighbor, Sonja, arrives just as the lockdown tightens, bringing an extra layer of intrigue and companionship that hints at both solidarity and the strain of sharing limited resources.
The film’s tone is a slow‑burning dread that mixes the ordinary rhythms of suburban life with the uncanny pressure of an unseen threat. The muted colors of summer give way to dim interiors and the occasional flash of emergency lights, underscoring how quickly tranquility can dissolve into anxiety. As the town grapples with the growing desperation of its residents, the story focuses on how ordinary people respond when the world outside becomes inaccessible, leaving the Johansson family—and those around them—to confront the stark choices required for survival.
What Happens in What We Become?
The complete story of What We Become, from the first scene to the last, in 650 words (about 3 minutes). Spoilers throughout.
Spoilers ahead
A family of four—Dino, his wife Pernille, and their two children, the young Maj and teenager Gustav—are enjoying a peaceful summer in the picturesque Sorgenfri, Denmark. Life seems blissful until the arrival of a new neighbor, Sonja, who captures Gustav’s attention. While Pernille showers affection on Maj, who is deeply enamored with her pet rabbit Ninus, a nearby picnic takes a dark turn. Here, a neighbor named Casper tries to convince Dino to accompany him on a hunting trip, but Dino refuses the temptation. Tension rises when a little boy at the picnic is seen throwing up, hinting at a lurking illness. Soon after, an elderly woman bursts in, distraught over her husband’s mysterious disappearance.
As the days unfold, their idyllic life shatters with the onset of a deadly virus that transforms its victims into ravenous killing machines. Despite the growing danger, Dino reassures his children that everything is fine. The military steps in, enforcing a quarantine that keeps the families isolated and supplies limited, all while power outages create additional fears. As reports indicate that the research into the virus has yielded no results, panic ensues.
One night, neighbors are mysteriously taken from their homes by the military, supposedly for their safety. Driven by curiosity, Gustav sneaks out to check on Sonja and discovers her mother injured. When he investigates the “safe space,” he finds it filled with the infected, brutally shot by the military. In his attempt to liberate them, Gustav inadvertently unleashes a horde of zombies, leading to the military’s retreat and leaving the remaining residents to fend for themselves. Against Pernille’s objections, Gustav insists on taking in Sonja and her ailing mother.
As the zombie invasion escalates, Casper’s partner Anna makes a daring escape from their home. Casper and Dino prepare for a siege while the family faces their own horrors, including the unsettling absence of Ninus. The atmosphere of dread thickens when Maj asks about her beloved rabbit during breakfast, and though her father tries to comfort her, hints suggest that the meat in their stew might be Ninus. With monsters roaming outside, their safety is further threatened when Gustav’s tendency to peek attracts deadly attention.
Amidst the turmoil, Anna returns, haunted by her experiences. Tensions flare when Sonja and Gustav share a fleeting moment of intimacy, only to discover that Sonja’s mother’s condition has worsened. Gradually, Sonja comes to the horrifying realization that her mother is in rigor mortis.
Dino and Casper attempt to scout their desolate surroundings but are met with aggression from the military. In a shocking twist, they run into a woman looking for her missing partner, only to find themselves in dire circumstances with a Zombie ambush. The chaos continues as Maj ventures out to find Ninus, confronting the neighbor whose husband went missing. In a tragic turn, Maj is bitten, and despite her family’s desperate attempt to save her, the sound of a gunshot alerts the zombies.
Now cornered, the family strives to fortify their home, only to return to find that Anna has succumbed to the infection, and chaos boils over. As Dino faces the grim reality of having to kill his daughter Maj before she becomes a zombie, the scene spirals into a gut-wrenching climax as Pernille refuses to let go, leading to a horrific confrontation that seals their fates.
Gustav and Sonja barricade themselves in a room, finally confronting Sonja’s reborn mother. Using fireworks as a diversion, the pair attempts to navigate through the chaos, barely escaping into the forest as the remnants of their world collapse around them.
The camera pulls back, revealing the smoke rising from their town, accompanied by the piercing sound of an air raid siren and the ominous whistling of an impending bomb. As tension builds, the screen fades to black, flashing the words “WHAT WE BECOME” while the end credits roll, leaving the audience to grapple with the haunting aftermath.
What We Become Timeline: Every Key Event in Order
13 key events in the order they happen, from “A Peaceful Summer Begins” to “Aftermath of Chaos”. 13 events name a place, across 6 locations.
- 1
A Peaceful Summer Begins
The film opens with a charming summer in Sorgenfri, Denmark, where the family of four enjoys their tranquil life together. Dino, Pernille, and their children, Maj and Gustav, revel in the idyllic surroundings, creating a strong sense of normalcy and happiness.
Where:Sorgenfri, Denmark
- 2
New Neighbor Moves In
The serene atmosphere is disrupted by the arrival of a new neighbor, Sonja, who quickly catches the attention of teenager Gustav. Her presence introduces a hint of flirtation amidst the family's summer bliss, impacting the dynamics within the household.
Where:Sorgenfri, Denmark
- 3
Picnic Takes a Dark Turn
During a picnic, a sudden turn of events occurs when a little boy is spotted becoming ill, raising concerns among the parents. Just moments later, the panic grows as a distraught elderly woman arrives, alarmed over her husband's mysterious disappearance, hinting at a larger crisis.
Where:Picnic site
- 4
Quarantine Enforced
As the deadly virus begins to spread, the military arrives to enforce a lockdown that traps the families in their homes. Supplies dwindle and power outages add to the growing fear and uncertainty, marking the end of their peaceful summer.
Where:Sorgenfri, Denmark
- 5
Neighbors Taken by the Military
One night, chaos ensues when the military starts to forcibly remove neighbors from their homes under the pretense of safety. The unsettling atmosphere intensifies as the threat of the virus becomes all too real, leaving the remaining families anxious and confused.
Where:Sorgenfri, Denmark
- 6
Gustav's Secret Discovery
Defying the quarantine, Gustav sneaks out to check on Sonja and discovers her mother injured. His exploration leads him to a deadly 'safe space,' where he uncovers the horrific truth about the infected, awakening a new level of danger for everyone.
Where:Safe Space
- 7
Zombie Horde Unleashed
In a moment of desperation, Gustav inadvertently opens the door to a horde of zombies, causing utter chaos and forcing the military to retreat. The residents, now left to fend for themselves, realize the gravity of their situation as fear grips the community.
Where:Sorgenfri, Denmark
- 8
Family Horror Escalates
As tensions rise, the family grapples with their own horrors, from the unsettling disappearance of their pet rabbit Ninus to Maj's haunting inquiry about him during breakfast. The atmosphere is thick with dread, complicating their already fragile emotional state.
Where:Dino's home
- 9
Descent into Madness
As the situation worsens, Maj ventures out to find Ninus, only to encounter the neighbor searching for her missing partner. This fateful decision leads to a tragic encounter where she is bitten, encapsulating the escalating horrors threatening their family.
Where:Outside Dino's home
- 10
Desperate Measures
Cornered and desperate, Dino faces the harrowing reality of needing to kill his infected daughter Maj. The scene spirals into chaos and heartbreak as Pernille struggles to accept this grim outcome, leading to a gut-wrenching confrontation that reshapes their fate.
Where:Dino's home
Show the other 3 events of What We Become Hide the last 3 events
- 11
Escape Attempt
Gustav and Sonja barricade themselves in a room, devising a plan to escape the chaos around them. With fireworks as a diversion, they confront Sonja's reborn mother, desperate to survive as the remaining families succumb to the surrounding turmoil.
Where:Sorgenfri, Denmark
- 12
Final Moments of Hope
As smoke rises from their town and an air raid siren wails in the background, Gustav and Sonja make a frantic dash for safety. This heartbreaking escape marks the end of their world as they once knew it, leaving them to face the unknown.
Where:Forest
- 13
Aftermath of Chaos
The camera pulls back to illustrate the devastation left in the wake of the outbreak, capturing the haunting silence that follows the chaos. The film concludes with the chilling message of 'WHAT WE BECOME,' forcing the audience to ponder the depths of human survival.
Where:Sorgenfri, Denmark
Who Are the Main Characters in What We Become?
4 characters, among them Dino, Pernille and Gustav: who each one is and the part they play in the story.
- D
Dino
Dino is a protective and well-meaning father who is determined to keep his family safe during the chaos of the outbreak. He struggles with the difficulty of maintaining hope in the face of despair and is faced with making gut-wrenching decisions to protect his loved ones. His character highlights the burden of responsibility and the emotional turmoil faced by parents in a crisis.
- 👨👧👦 Family
- 💪 Strength
- 😔 Sacrifice
- P
Pernille
Pernille is a nurturing mother who deeply cares for her children, especially her youngest, Maj. As tensions rise, her maternal instincts clash with the harsh realities of their situation, leading to emotional turmoil and a desperate fight for her family's survival. Her character embodies the theme of love amidst tragedy, showing both her tenderness and fierce protection.
- 👩👧👦 Motherhood
- ❤️ Love
- 😨 Fear
- G
Gustav
Gustav is a curious teenager who grapples with feelings of responsibility and bravery as the situation escalates. His desire to prove himself and protect those he cares for leads him to make impulsive choices, resulting in dire consequences. His character arc explores the transition from adolescence to adulthood in the face of catastrophe.
- 👦 Youth
- ⚔️ Courage
- 🤨 Recklessness
- M
Maj
Maj is the innocent and beloved daughter of Dino and Pernille, whose deep bond with her pet rabbit Ninus symbolizes the childhood innocence that is threatened by the surrounding horrors. Her character adds emotional weight to the storyline, as her struggles reflect the anguish of families torn apart by crisis. Her fate serves as a chilling reminder of the cost of survival.
- 🐰 Innocence
- 💔 Loss
- 🌼 Childhood
Where and When Is What We Become Set?
What We Become is set in Sorgenfri and Denmark (Contemporary). Here is why the time and place matter to the story.
When
Contemporary
The events of the movie unfold in a contemporary setting where a sudden and catastrophic outbreak disrupts everyday life. This time period is marked by enhanced fears due to the pandemic, leading to a severe response from the military and a gradual breakdown of societal norms. The contrast between the initial peace of summer days and the chaos of an apocalypse serves as a stark reminder of how quickly circumstances can change.
Where
Sorgenfri, Denmark
Sorgenfri is a picturesque town in Denmark known for its idyllic summer landscapes and peaceful community atmosphere. Despite its charm, the town becomes a battleground as a deadly virus outbreak disrupts the tranquility, revealing the fragility of safety. It's a setting that juxtaposes beauty with the horror of survival, highlighting the struggle between maintaining normalcy and facing imminent danger.
- 🏡 Family
- 🌳 Nature
- ⚔️ Survival
What Are the Themes of What We Become?
3 ideas the story keeps returning to, among them Survival, Isolation and Loss.
-
01
Survival
The theme of survival permeates the narrative as the family faces an increasingly perilous environment. They must navigate not only the external threats posed by a ravenous outbreak but also the internal conflicts and moral dilemmas that arise. Ultimately, it questions the lengths one would go to protect loved ones amidst insurmountable odds.
-
02
Isolation
Isolation is a prominent theme as the quarantine imposed by the military separates families and amplifies their fears. The loss of community bonds and the emergence of trust issues lead to a tense atmosphere. This theme reflects the psychological toll of being cut off from the world during a crisis.
-
03
Loss
Loss is keenly felt throughout the film, particularly as beloved family members and neighbors succumb to the outbreak. The emotional weight of grief and the struggle to accept loss showcases the human cost of the crisis, making the audience confront their own attachments and the fragility of life.
What Kind of Film Is What We Become?
Tense in tone, with variable pacing and a straightforward story, going by the plot summary.
- Tone
- Tense
- Pacing
- Variable
- Story
- Straightforward
- Intensity
- High
- Ending
- Bleak
A relentlessly tense and claustrophobic film that traps a family in their home during a viral outbreak, charting their desperate fight for survival as both the infected and their fellow neighbors succumb to escalating fear and violence.
- tense
- claustrophobic
- paranoid
- desperate
- oppressive
- chaotic
- survival
- family horror
- zombie apocalypse
- government quarantine
Content notes: zombie violence, child death, implication of pet death, military brutality, deadly plague.
Quiz
How well do you remember What We Become? Test yourself on the story.
