Po izgubi sina, upokojeni šerif George Blackledge (Costner) in njegova žena Margaret (Lane) zapustita svoj ranč v Montani, da bi rešila svojega mladega vnuka iz nevarne družine, ki živi v Južni Dakoti, na čelu z babico Blanche Weboy. Ko odkrijeta, da Weboysi ne nameravajo otroka zlahka izpustiti, Georgeu in Margaret ne preostane drugega, kot da se borita za svojo družino.

In a dystopian near future, single people, according to the laws of The City, are taken to The Hotel, where they are obliged to find a romantic partner in forty-five days or are transformed into animals and sent off into The Woods.