Nadiya is a widow who works at a gas station. After her husband's death, she raises twins herself - Sonya and Artem, who are in the final class. The woman does not believe in miracles and does not even hope that she will be able to arrange her personal life. She does not belong to those people who are happy with loneliness. Sometimes everyone needs to be alone with themselves, but not on a regular basis. The children will grow up and go their own way, and she will have only memories.

Suddenly, one of the visitors simply charms Nadezhda. Soon Mikhail and Nadia begin to live together. The young man is trying to become a good friend for the children of his beloved woman, but all his efforts are in vain. Adolescents cannot get used to the idea that another man has appeared in their home, claiming the role of their father. With all their appearance and behavior, they show that Mikhail is an unwanted guest in this house and in particular in their lives.

After graduation, the body of a 17-year-old girl with signs of a violent death was found on the river bank, one of the graduates, the spectacular beauty Valeria Samokhina, the queen of the prom. Police arrest a schoolteacher who had contact with the victim. Nevertheless, Nadia suspects her own son. It is hard to believe, but a lot of evidence reveals that her son was involved in the crime. It is difficult for Nadezhda to come to terms with this state of affairs, and before making any decision in this regard, she intends to understand everything herself.

Suddenly, the police arrest Mykhailo, which simply shocks Nadia, and at the same time gives relief ...

Little Myroshko goes into the forest in search of food for his mother, who is dying of hunger. But the world he finds himself in turns out to be cruel and merciless. He is betrayed, persecuted, and attempts are made to break him. But even in the darkest moments, the boy finds the strength to fight.

This is a story of choice: to survive at any cost, or to remain human?

According to Svetlana Alexievich's book Chornobyl Prayer.

The film has little to do with the catastrophe, rather it is about the Chernobyl world of which we know little. Event witnesses tell of their ordinary life at the time, then the disaster. Their voices form a long, terrifying but much-needed prayer that crosses the border and causes us to doubt the constant points of view of tragedy.