Based on the harrowing true story, THE DONNER PARTY picks up after William Hastings steers a wagontrain, known as The Donner Party, off course by promising a shorter route to California through the Sierra Nevada Mountains. After several early snowstorms, the emigrants and its leaders (Crispin Glover and Clayne Crawford) find themselves trapped, freezing and without any source of food. A small group is formed, nicknamed The Forlorn Hope, to try and reach California and organize a rescue party. The threat of death and imminent starvation dissolves the group’s camaraderie as they are forced sacrifice one another as a source of nourishment. Surviving only on the flesh of the fallen members of their party, the remaining travelers must weigh their consciences against their will to survive.