It recounts the story of two Iraq veterans, Tom Voss and Anthony Anderson, who, in an attempt to put their combat experience behind them, embark on a 2,700-mile trek on foot across America.

As they finally reach the water at the end of Santa Monica Boulevard, joined by a combat mate of Tom's, Anthony expresses a restored faith in humanity, with the journey having opened his heart and mind to some level of hope and connection with people.

[3] Frank Scheck of The Hollywood Reporter notes that Almost Sunrise "makes for powerful viewing" and highlights how the film distinguishes "moral injury" from PTSD.

[4] The New York Times' Neil Genzlinger praises the documentary for providing a deeper understanding of the troubles many veterans experience, specifically focusing on the concept of "moral injury".

However, he notes that the film's exploration of therapeutic meditation for treating such trauma lacks in specific details, leaving the complex problem of veterans' struggles still relatively dimly illuminated.