Ana Clark, a nurse in Milwaukee, finishes a long, exhausting night shift and drives home through the quiet suburban streets, unaware that the world around her is about to unravel. It's a night meant for a date with her husband, Luis, and the couple is blissfully distracted by their plans, missing urgent emergency news bulletins flashing on their television about a spreading contagion. The calm suburban facade shatters when a zombified neighborhood girl named Vivian breaks into their bedroom. In a horrifying instant, Vivian kills Luis, who then reanimates as a zombie and lunges at Ana. Terrified, Ana flees in her car, but the chaos of the outbreak causes her to crash. She passes out amid the wreckage, the nightmare only beginning.

When Ana awakens, she finds herself among a small group of survivors thrown together by circumstance and desperation. Sergeant Kenneth Hall, a steadfast police officer; Michael, an electronics salesman with a pragmatic streak; Andre, a petty criminal with a volatile temper; and Luda, Andre's heavily pregnant wife, form a fragile alliance. Their immediate goal is survival, and they decide to break into a nearby suburban shopping mall, hoping to find refuge and supplies.

The mall stands as a vast, eerie fortress surrounded by the undead. Inside, the survivors encounter a zombified security guard who attacks them as they enter, scratching Luda in the process. The group is forced to surrender their weapons to three living mall security guards--C.J., Bart, and Terry--in exchange for sanctuary. The uneasy truce is tense; the mall is both a refuge and a trap, with zombies encircling the building relentlessly. From the roof, the survivors spot Andy, another lone survivor stranded in a gun store across the parking lot, and a military helicopter overhead that ignores their desperate signals, a grim symbol of failed rescue efforts.

The next day, a delivery truck carrying more survivors arrives, pursued by a horde of zombies. C.J. and Bart want to turn the newcomers away, but they are overruled. The new group includes Norma, Steve, Tucker, Monica, Glen, Frank, and his daughter Nicole. Among them is a woman too ill to walk; she is wheeled inside but soon dies and reanimates, confirming the terrifying truth that the infection spreads through bites. Frank, who has been bitten, chooses to isolate himself, accepting his fate. When he dies and turns, Kenneth shoots him to prevent further danger. Meanwhile, Andre discovers Luda hiding her scratch and, unable to face the reality of her impending death, ties her to a bed in the mall's children's store. As Luda gives birth, she dies and reanimates, clutching the newborn zombie baby. Norma shoots the undead Luda, triggering Andre's complete mental collapse. In a violent confrontation, Andre and Norma exchange gunfire, both dying in the chaos. Ana arrives just in time to see Andre clutching the zombie infant; she pulls her revolver and fires a single, haunting shot through the mall, ending the baby's brief, horrific existence.

The survivors' fragile peace is shattered repeatedly. Bart, bitten in the underground parking garage while trying to restore power, is overwhelmed and killed by zombies after attracting a horde. C.J., Michael, and Kenneth narrowly escape the carnage by dousing the zombies with gasoline and setting them ablaze. The mall's power fails, and the survivors face increasing pressure from the growing undead outside. Tensions rise as the group struggles to maintain order and hope in the face of relentless horror.

As the situation deteriorates, the survivors devise a desperate plan to escape. They rig two armored shuttle buses with steel plating, propane tanks, and chainsaws, transforming them into makeshift war machines. Their goal is to break through the zombie siege, reach the marina, and find a boat to flee the city. The escape attempt is brutal and chaotic. One bus crashes, and C.J., once abrasive and antagonistic, sacrifices himself in a fiery explosion to save the others. Nicole's dog saves her life but causes a dangerous detour that costs precious time. Survivors are picked off by zombies or accidents in the chaos, whittling down their numbers.

The final group to reach the marina includes Ana, Kenneth, Nicole, Terry, and Michael. Here, the grim reality of their situation becomes clear. Michael reveals he was bitten during the escape. Choosing to protect the others, he ends his own life, allowing the rest to board the boat and set sail toward an island they hope will be safe. The boat's journey offers a fleeting moment of hope, but this is cruelly undercut by the mid-credits camcorder footage. The survivors arrive at the island only to be met by more zombies. The footage captures screams, attacks, and the camera falling to the ground, implying that none survive. The film closes on this bleak, unresolved note, a haunting testament to the hopelessness of their struggle against the undead.

Throughout the film, every death is a brutal reminder of the apocalypse's merciless toll. Luis Clark is the first victim, killed and reanimated by the zombified Vivian. The zombified security guard's scratch infects Luda, whose death and reanimation lead to Andre's descent into madness and their mutual demise. Frank's self-isolation and eventual death underscore the inevitability of infection. Bart's death in the parking garage highlights the dangers lurking even within the mall's supposed safety. C.J.'s sacrifice embodies the tragic heroism that punctuates the survivors' grim fight. Michael's final act of self-sacrifice seals the group's fate, emphasizing the personal costs of survival.

The film's revelations--the infection's transmission by bites, the failure of military rescue, the psychological toll on survivors, and the existence of a zombie newborn--build a relentless tension that drives the story forward. The mall, a symbol of consumerism and safety, becomes a prison surrounded by death. The survivors' attempts to maintain order, hope, and humanity are continually undermined by the encroaching horror and their own internal conflicts.

In the end, Dawn of the Dead (2004) offers no easy answers or happy endings. Its narrative is a stark, visceral exploration of survival, loss, and despair in a world overrun by the undead. The survivors' journey from Ana's suburban home through the mall and finally to the doomed island is a relentless descent into chaos, marked by vivid, harrowing moments and unforgettable confrontations that leave no character untouched by death or trauma.

In the ending of "Dawn of the Dead" (2004), the remaining survivors make a desperate attempt to escape the mall. They manage to board a small boat, but their journey is cut short when they encounter a horde of zombies. The film concludes with a bleak sense of hopelessness as the fate of the characters is left uncertain.

As the film approaches its climax, the tension within the group of survivors escalates. After a series of harrowing encounters with the undead, Ana, Michael, Kenneth, and a few others decide that staying in the mall is no longer a viable option. They gather supplies and formulate a plan to escape the confines of the shopping center, which has become increasingly dangerous.

The group makes their way to the parking garage, where they have a modified bus waiting. The atmosphere is thick with anxiety as they prepare for the journey ahead. Each character grapples with their own fears and motivations; Ana, who has taken on a leadership role, feels the weight of responsibility for the group's safety. Kenneth, the former police officer, is determined to protect his newfound family, while Michael, who has developed a bond with Ana, is torn between his desire to survive and his feelings for her.

As they drive through the streets, the chaos of the outside world is starkly visible. The once-familiar city is now a desolate landscape filled with abandoned cars and roaming zombies. The survivors navigate through the wreckage, their hearts racing as they encounter more undead. The tension peaks when they are forced to make a quick decision to avoid a horde, showcasing the urgency of their situation.

Eventually, they reach the waterfront, where they find a small boat. The group is filled with a mix of hope and dread as they realize this could be their chance for freedom. However, their escape is not without sacrifice. As they prepare to board the boat, they are ambushed by a group of zombies. In the chaos, several characters face their fates.

Kenneth, who has been a steadfast protector, fights valiantly but is ultimately overwhelmed by the undead. His sacrifice allows the others to escape, but it leaves a profound impact on the group, particularly on Ana, who witnesses his struggle and loss.

As they set off on the boat, the remaining survivors--Ana, Michael, and a few others--experience a fleeting moment of relief. However, this is short-lived. The boat, while a symbol of hope, also represents the uncertainty of their future. As they drift away from the mall, they are confronted with the reality that the world outside is still fraught with danger.

The film concludes with a haunting scene. The survivors are seen navigating the waters, but their expressions are somber. The camera pans out to reveal the vastness of the ocean, emphasizing their isolation. The final moments are filled with an unsettling silence, leaving the audience with a sense of despair. The fate of Ana, Michael, and the others remains ambiguous, underscoring the film's themes of survival and the fragility of hope in a world overrun by chaos.

The 2004 film "Dawn of the Dead" does not have a post-credit scene. After the credits roll, the film concludes without any additional scenes or content. The story wraps up with the fate of the main characters and the world they inhabit, leaving the audience with a sense of closure regarding their journey and the ongoing threat of the zombie apocalypse. The film's ending focuses on the survival of the remaining characters and the bleak reality of their situation, emphasizing the themes of isolation and the struggle for survival in a world overrun by the undead.

At the beginning of 'Dawn of the Dead,' Ana, a nurse, is seen in her suburban home. The scene quickly escalates as she wakes up to find her husband, Luis, acting strangely. As she steps outside, she witnesses a chaotic scene unfolding in her neighborhood, with neighbors being attacked by a horde of zombies. The emotional turmoil is palpable as she realizes the world is collapsing around her, leading to a frantic escape.

After Ana escapes her neighborhood, she finds refuge in a nearby mall, where she encounters a group of survivors, including Kenneth, a security guard; Michael, a mechanic; and a few others. The initial tension is high as they assess each other's intentions and capabilities. They must quickly decide whether to trust one another, as the threat of the undead looms outside. Their motivations vary, with some seeking safety and others looking for a way to fight back.

Kenneth, played by Ving Rhames, is a security guard who becomes a natural leader among the survivors. His character is driven by a strong sense of responsibility to protect the group. He is emotionally conflicted, showing moments of vulnerability as he grapples with the loss of his former life and the weight of leadership. His determination to keep the group safe often puts him at odds with others, especially when it comes to making tough decisions.

While holed up in the mall, the survivors face numerous challenges, including dwindling supplies, the constant threat of zombie attacks, and internal conflicts among the group. Tensions rise as they deal with personal fears and differing opinions on how to handle their situation. The emotional strain is evident as they confront their mortality and the reality of their isolation, leading to moments of despair and hope.

Michael, portrayed by Jake Weber, is a mechanic who initially helps the group fortify their defenses. He is resourceful and practical, often trying to find solutions to their dire circumstances. However, as the story progresses, he becomes increasingly aware of the dangers outside and the psychological toll the situation takes on everyone. His fate becomes tragic when he is bitten during a rescue attempt, leading to a heartbreaking moment where he must confront his impending transformation.

"Dawn of the Dead" (2004) is not considered family-friendly due to its intense and graphic content. Here are some potentially objectionable or upsetting aspects that may affect children or sensitive viewers:

1. Graphic Violence: The film features numerous scenes of intense violence, including zombies attacking and killing humans, which are depicted in a very graphic manner.

2. Gore and Blood: There are frequent scenes with significant bloodshed, including dismemberment and other forms of bodily harm that may be disturbing.

3. Zombie Attacks: The portrayal of zombies is frightening, with scenes of them lunging at characters, which can be quite terrifying for younger viewers.

4. Death and Loss: The film explores themes of survival and loss, with characters experiencing the death of loved ones, leading to emotional distress.

5. Tense Atmosphere: The overall tone of the film is dark and suspenseful, with moments of high tension that may be overwhelming for sensitive individuals.

6. Mature Themes: The film addresses themes of survival, fear, and human nature in extreme situations, which may not be suitable for younger audiences.

These elements contribute to the film's rating and its classification as suitable for mature audiences only.