Adam Carlson (John Krasinski), a reporter based in a small town in northern Alaska, can't wait to land a job in a bigger market. Then, the story of his life practically lands in his lap: a family of gray whales is discovered near the Arctic Circle, trapped by rapidly forming ice. Along with the descending media circus comes Rachel Kramer (Drew Barrymore), an environmental activist and Adam's ex-lover. Together, they try to rally an international coalition to save the whales before it's too late.