Kyrylo Holub

Sheltered Existence

In the exclusion zone of Chernobyl, a hidden cult worships something born of radiation and power. One man enters to expose the truth.

About the Film

A former journalist turned urban explorer makes an illegal journey into the ruins of Chernobyl — but what he finds is far from abandoned. Within the exclusion zone lies a society untouched by modern rule, worshipping a being they believe was born in the reactor’s core.

The cult is led by a powerful figure — a former politician with ties to Ukraine’s Soviet past — who uses myth and fear to control the faithful. Surveillance, rituals, and disappearances keep outsiders away… until now.

*Sheltered Existence* blends psychological horror with social commentary, confronting our fascination with ruin, secrecy, and the consequences of unchecked power.

Cast & Credits