Plot

A family's dull life in a rural outback town is rocked after their two teenage children disappear into the desert, sparking disturbing rumors of their past.

Catherine and Matthew Parker, newcomers to the remote Australian desert town of Nathgari, are flung into crisis when they discover that their two teenage kids, Tommy and Lily, have mysteriously disappeared just before a massive dust storm hits. With Nathgari eerily smothered in red dust and darkness, the townsfolk join the search led by local cop David Rae. It soon becomes apparent that something terrible might have happened to Tommy and Lily. Suspicions run riot, rumors spread, and public opinion turns savagely against the Parkers. With temperatures rising and the chances of survival plummeting with each passing day, Catherine and Matthew are pushed to the brink as they struggle to survive the mystery of their children's fate.—Anonymous

The dysfunctional Parker family moves to the middle of nowhere in the hot Australian Outback. Pharmacist Matthew Parker does not sleep in the same bed as his homemaker wife Catherine, who is a woman needy of sex. Their 15-year-old daughter Lily is promiscuous and their son Tommy is a sleepwalker who walks through the town during the night. One night, Tommy sleepwalks and Lily follows him and soon Catherine discovers that they never got to school and they're missing. A sandstorm hits town while Catherine and Matthew look for their children. Sheriff David Rae investigates the disappearance and a search party is organized. Meanwhile, Catherine finds Lily's diary and discloses past secrets of the Parker family to Rae to help the investigation.—Claudio Carvalho, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

Newly arrived in the remote Australian desert town of Nathgari, Catherine (Kidman) and Matt Parker (Fiennes) are trying to adjust, when their two teenage children, Lily and Tom disappear in the desert, just as a massive dust storm is about to hit. Rumours start swirling about what could have happened to children and, with temperatures rising and the chances of survival plummeting with each passing day, Catherine and Matthew find themselves pushed to the brink.

In an isolated town in the Outback of Australia, Tom walks around when no one is outside. It i later stated he does this at night when he can't sleep, but at the start of the movie, the sun is out.

Back at home, Tom's mother Catherine asks Tom if he was walking again and says he shouldn't do that.

Burtie comes to the door ready to paint the house. Tom's father Matthew answers the door but then 15-year-old Lily, Tom's sister, shows up not wearing much. She is told to put some clothes on but won't listen. She also says kids shouldn't have to go to school when it is over 40 degrees. Catherine and Tom both complain about how isolated their new location is but are reminded why it was necessary to move there.

Tom shows up at the pharmacy where Matthew works asking for money for ice cream. Matthew gives him money. Outside, Tom hands the money to Lily, who isn't wearing a whole lot more than before. They go to a skate park and meet up with Slug, who wears a Metallica T-shirt, and Steve, who is not wearing a shirt but has a large snake tattoo. Lily and Steve go off together.

When Burtie brings nephew Jarrah home, the boy catches Rae naked in the bed of Jarrah's mother Coreen. Rae quickly puts his clothes on and asks Burtie to give him some advance warning.

Catherine goes in Lily's room to ask if she needs any clothes washed. Lily takes off what little she is wearing, puts on a bikini, and goes out to the kiddie pool to play with Tom. Burtie shows up.

One night Tom can't sleep and he goes on one of his walks. Lily joins him. Matthew can't sleep either and when he goes outside he sees both children and, as he states later, he considers doing something about it but doesn't.

The next day Catherine oversleeps and calls Matthew at work. There shouldn't be any reason for her to be concerned about the kids because surely they went to school. Matthew lies about what he knows and Catherine is reassured until she is informed by the school that the kids never showed up. Catherine goes to tell Matthew but he insists on continuing to work. While not paying attention as she drives, Catherine nearly hits an old indigenous woman. Catherine also telephones Neil who is very angry.

After some time passes the parents report the missing kids to the police. Rae is the detective who takes the case. Lily is already in the system because she ran away once before. Catherine admits she panicked and it was later determined Lily was just with a friend.

Matthew and Catherine start searching for the kids on their own. A bigger concern than the heat is the serious dust storm that is coming. The parents are out in the worst of it, still in town, when it becomes impossible to see.

After the storm, Rae stops by the house and asks if there is any information that can be used. The parents mention how in Coonaburra, Lily had a sexual relationship with a teacher, Neil, and after Matthew beat up Neil they had to move. Matthew is called back to work for an emergency.

Adam is cleaning up the outside of his business after the storm and Rae asks him if he knows anything. Slug and Steve, who is Adam's son, are there too. Adam doesn't appreciate his son being accused of anything. He does, however, intend to join a search party.

While looking through Lily's room, Catherine finds a diary with art that offers some clues. Lily seems to have fallen for Bertie and maybe he knows something. Catherine gives the diary to Rae but asks him not to tell Matthew, and Rae later puts a page about Burtie in the shredder. Occasionally, Lily's voice is heard reading depressing poetry.

While the parents are out searching on their own, they see the search party. Matthew doesn't like people knowing their business and he wants to go back home. Catherine refuses to leave and she joins the group. Rae doesn't think she should be out there, and that someone should be at home in case of a call, and he takes her home. There are occasional phone calls, mysterious and disturbing.

Coreen and Jarrah visit Catherine bringing sandwiches to be neighborly. The woman Catherine nearly hit is in the back of the car. She is Jarrah's grandmother. When Catherine asks questions, there is a hint that an indigenous legend may offer a clue, but no details are given at that point.

Rae has enough information to accuse Burtie of being a suspect in Lily's disappearance, but he believes Burtie wouldn't hurt a fly. After Slug laughs, saying, "He knows", Rae takes Steve in for questioning, angering Adam, but later has to let him go.

Matthew drives all the way to Coonaburra to confront Neil and upsets the family, including a little girl. Neil's wife says she is calling the police.

Rae takes Catherine out to search in an area with more mountains and more plants than other areas that have been shown. There seems to be an attraction between them. Later, Coreen is jealous, suspecting Rae and Catherine are having an affair.

Catherine asks Matthew if he might have done something to Lily. Matthew denies doing anything.

Matthew finds out about Lily and Burtie and goes to Burtie's place and beats him up. Rae won't do anything because he believes Burtie is not so innocent.

Matthew drives to an area not yet searched and finds Tom dehydrated. Catherine rushes to the boy's side in the hospital but Tom can't talk. Later, Matthew brings Tom home even though he's not really doing that much better. Rae questions Tom but doesn't get answers. Catherine becomes desperate and reminds the boy his sister will die. Tom says Lily got in a car but he couldn't remember any details.

Catherine sees Jarrah's grandmother in town, and she tells Catherine about the legend and says people have disappeared from this town. Catherine also hears people at the grocery store talking, and a young female cashier thinks there is no hope for Lily. Catherine eventually goes off the deep end and later starts wandering around the town, obviously mentally unstable. Matthew rescues her and they talk. Catherine believes she had something to do with Lily being how she is, and Matthew admits not acting when he saw the kids leave.

Lily's voice is heard reading her poetry as scenes of mountains are shown.