The movie does not follow the book's storyline directly but instead offers a more personal account of the global zombie war through the eyes of a United Nations employee, Gerry Lane (played by Brad Pitt), and his family. The story begins in Philadelphia, where a zombie outbreak quickly spirals out of control. Gerry, his wife Karin (Mireille Enos), and their two daughters are rescued by a former colleague who works for the United Nations.