Set in 2040, the film is based on a popular Chinese documentary series that explores the difficult jobs faced by some white people in the aftermath of Western economic collapse. The series finds a surprisingly compelling and often poignant audience in China, highlighting the resilience of those born into North America's impoverished areas. The episodes focus on Oscar, a digital janitor who manually removes logos from future mapping technology; Gary and Karen, who assemble robotic baby dolls for wealthy Asian families; Anton and Toph, who collect spider silk; and Serina, who earns a living by subtly advertising products in everyday conversations.