After the death of her father, Ellie Arroway (Jodie Foster) devotes her life to science. Convinced of the existence of extra-terrestrial life, she uses satellites to sweep the stars for evidence. When she receives the transmission of what seems to be a blueprint from another species for the construction of a spacecraft, she has to fight for the right to lead the ship's maiden flight to meet the alien life forms. She finds herself working with her former lover, ex-priest Palmer Joss (Michael McConaughey), now a governmental advisor.