The domestic adventures, misdeeds and everyday interactions of five families living on a cul-de-sac in a small California community.

Tracers follows a group of young American soldiers from basic training through their combat experiences in Vietnam and, for those who survive, their difficult return to civilian life. The film explores the legacy of the original stage production, which was created by Vietnam veterans and became one of the most influential artistic works about the war. Perniciaro's film combines documentary storytelling with staged performance to tell both the story of the play and the experiences that inspired it.