The United States is teetering on the brink of collapse. The corrupt president calls on citizens to fight against the "Florida alliance and the western forces of Texas and California." War photographer Lee (Kirsten Dunst) and a group of journalists try to get to Washington, the epicenter of dramatic events, to conduct one last interview with the president. On this mission, they are accompanied by ambitious but inexperienced journalist Jessie (Cailee Spaeny). Lee, despite her initial reluctance, becomes her mentor.