A trip to a ghost town becomes a fight for survival when an alt-right militia mistakes a film crew, scouting locations for a documentary, for government agents come to spy on them, or worse.

SYNOPSIS:

Sort of like “Deliverance” meets “Civil War”, only in the desert, "Deepening the Divide" explores our increasingly polarized society. On one side of the divide is Chad Michael Hewitt, an angry, far-right conservative furious at a country and system that’s left people like him behind. He lives with his recently widowed mother, Roberta, in a rundown, desert home facing foreclosure. On the other side of the divide is Pam Sutton, a left-wing idealist. From a wealthy family, engaged to Theo, an African American filmmaker, she sees society finally becoming more accepting, but remains fearful of the rising hate on the right. Caught in the middle is Scott Hewitt, Chad Michael’s younger brother. Like Chad Michael, Scott’s unemployed, aimless, and lives at home. Unlike his brother, Scott’s harboring a secret that’s tearing him apart: he’s gay. He’s both desperate to tell his family and terrified they might find out. He’s also so lonely it hurts.

When Pam, Theo, Muhammad, his partner, Marcie, their producer, and Joel, her assistant, come to the desert to scout locations for a travel documentary, Scott’s two worlds are set on a collision course. First, Chad Michael and his militia mistake them for government agents come to spy on them, or worse, and prepare for battle. Then Scott meets Joel: handsome, fit, funny. He’s captivated. Both feel the spark. Before their romance has a chance to bloom, Scott is forced to make an impossible choice: go along with his family’s misguided attack, or stand up for his newfound love, and risk his family’s wrath. Meanwhile, Pam, Theo, Muhammad, and Marcie find themselves stranded in a remote ghost town. Hundreds of miles from nowhere, with no cell service, their tires slashed, and a heavily armed and angry Chad Michael hunting them, they’re forced to fight for their lives. Chad Michael kills Muhammad, shoots Marcie, and nearly kills Theo before Pam manages to slit his throat in a surprise attack.

Scott and Joel try to escape, but are caught by several of the Militia members, who threaten to execute them for “crimes against nature”. When the sheriff arrives, Joel thinks they’re saved, only to realize the sheriff is not only part of the militia but also the one who ordered their murders. Pam, Marcie, and Theo arrive, distracting the sheriff. Scott and Joel manage to overpower the men guarding them, and an all-out battle ensues. They manage to kill the sheriff and militia, but Scott and Joel are both wounded.

After Chad Michael’s funeral, a devastated Roberta stands alone at his grave. Scott comes to make amends, but Roberta can’t. As she watches Scott walk away, she remembers happier times. The family sitting around the dinner table, laughing. Scott being there for her when her husband died. How he’s always been there for her, ever since he was a child. Not ready to fully accept this, but unwilling to lose her only child, Roberta asks Scott and Joel to dinner.

DEEPENING THE DIVIDE