Arrival

Linguist Louise Banks suffers a profound emotional blow with the death of her young daughter from cancer. This personal tragedy deeply affects her outlook on life and shapes her emotional state as the story unfolds.

Twelve massive extraterrestrial crafts suddenly arrive on Earth, creating a global sensation and panic. Governments scramble to make sense of the phenomenon, leading to heightened military activity and collaboration.

Colonel Weber approaches Louise to enlist her expertise in linguistics to decode the alien language. Alongside her is Ian Donnelly, an experimental physicist, making it a critical partnership between science and language.

Louise and Ian gain access to the mothership and make first contact with the Heptapods, whom they name Abbott and Costello. The aliens' seven-limbed structure and unique environment provoke both awe and curiosity within the team.

The team begins their challenging task of understanding the Heptapods' complex written language, characterized by intricate circular symbols. This process causes Louise to experience vivid visions that blur the line between present and future.

In a pivotal interaction, the Heptapods communicate a message that translates to 'offer weapon'. This revelation creates fear among global leaders, leading to tensions as some countries take drastic steps towards military action.

The ambiguous message from the Heptapods escalates fears, causing various nations to sever communication and prepare for aggression. Louise grows concerned that the intended meaning behind 'weapon' may have been misinterpreted.

Unknown to Louise and Ian, rogue military personnel plant explosives inside the spacecraft in a desperate attempt to assert control. This reckless decision adds a layer of urgency to the already tense situation.

After a close encounter with danger, Ian realizes that the circular symbols are linked to a non-linear perception of time. This discovery suggests that the Heptapods may possess knowledge that humanity needs to understand for future cooperation.

During a tense moment, Louise receives a critical message from Costello about Abbott’s declining health. This encounter deepens Louise's understanding of the Heptapods' true intentions, illustrating their desire to help humanity.

As the impending military action looms, Louise experiences powerful visions of her future, including the birth of her daughter, Hannah. These insights reveal the Heptapods' motivation and the importance of their language for human survival.

In a vision, Louise foresees a crucial meeting at the United Nations where General Shang expresses gratitude for her intervention. Overwhelmed by the responsibility, she realizes the impact of her actions on global peace.

Louise takes a leap of faith by using a satellite phone to contact General Shang, attempting to prevent the military attack. Faced with uncertainty, she draws strength from her visions as inspiration for her message.

Through a heartfelt conversation, Louise successfully persuades General Shang to halt the attack. By mirroring his wife's last words in Mandarin, she restores communication and collaboration between the nations.

As the military camp prepares for departure, Ian confesses his love to Louise, prompting deep reflection on life choices. Despite knowing the future's heartache, Louise chooses to embrace the journey ahead with hope.