Death Race 5: Apocalypse takes place in a world that has completely collapsed after years of economic crisis, climate disasters, and global warfare. Governments no longer exist, and power is controlled by private corporations and violent factions. In this chaos, the Death Race has evolved from an underground prison competition into a worldwide spectacle, broadcast to millions as the last form of entertainment and control.

The story follows a new protagonist, a former military driver named Marcus Kane, who is captured while trying to protect a group of refugees. He is forced into the Death Race arena, a massive wasteland filled with ruined cities, deserts, and deadly traps. Unlike previous races, this version has no finish line. Drivers must survive multiple stages, and only one racer can escape with freedom.

As Marcus competes, he discovers that the race is secretly designed to eliminate rebel fighters and identify the strongest survivors to serve the ruling corporations. Each racer represents a different background: ex-criminals, mercenaries, and civilians pushed to violence. Their cars are heavily armored and weaponized, turning every race into a brutal battle for survival rather than speed.

The film highlights extreme violence and moral conflict, showing how desperation can strip away humanity. Marcus struggles with the constant pressure to kill or be killed, while forming uneasy alliances with other drivers. Trust becomes rare, and betrayal is often rewarded, emphasizing the cruelty of a world without laws or compassion.

As the race escalates, Marcus uncovers evidence of a larger rebellion forming outside the arena. He realizes that winning the Death Race is not enough; destroying the system behind it is the only way to end the cycle of violence. This realization transforms his motivation from survival to sacrifice.

In the final stages, chaos erupts as racers turn against the organizers. Explosions, crashes, and riots spread across the wasteland, signaling the beginning of an uprising. Death Race 5: Apocalypse ends on an uncertain but hopeful note, suggesting that even in the darkest world, resistance and hope can still survive.