An old Russian Akula submarine, armed with ballistic nuclear missiles, is assigned a new captain. But Captain Pavel seems to care very little for Navy protocol. In fact, he feels the crew’s jobs are a waste of time, preferring to lead discussions about spiritual matters. The Captain dresses in a cassock and grows a long beard. His favorite pastime is shamanic drumming, which even the confused American’s can hear from the ship.
As Captain Pavel draws more and more men into his ‘cult’ the traditional sailors begin to have their doubts. If they are asked to do their duty, will he fail Russia, or even endanger them? Can the remaining crew tolerate a Captain who believes in a message of peace and love, insisting that the sailors mission is to save the world by journeying with their minds?