In 1939 Poland, Antonina Zabinska (Jessica Chastain) and her husband, Dr. Jan Zabinski (Johan Heldenbergh), have the Warsaw Zoo flourishing under his stewardship and her care.

When their country is invaded by the Nazis, Jan and Antonina are stunned, and forced to report to the Reich's newly appointed chief zoologist, Lutz Heck (Daniel Brühl).

To fight back on their own terms, the Zabinskis covertly begin working with the Resistance and put into action plans to save the lives of people whose homes are in what has become the Warsaw Ghetto. Allowing Jewish escapees to hide within the confines of their zoo, Antonina will put herself and even her children at great risk.

Based on the book The Zookeeper's Wife: A War Story by Diane Ackerman.