In the year 2169, humanity has achieved genetic alteration, halting aging at 25 years old. This new existence revolves around "living time," which is displayed on a clock in people's forearms and can be shared through touch. Once the timer hits zero, life ends instantly. The world is starkly divided into social classes that reside in designated areas known as "Time Zones." The impoverished live in the slums of Dayton, struggling to earn precious hours of life, while the affluent enjoy eternal youth in New Greenwich.
Amidst this societal backdrop, Will Salas (played by Justin Timberlake), a 28-year-old factory worker, lives with his mother Rachel. One fateful evening, Will intervenes to save Henry Hamilton, a 105-year-old man, from being attacked by Fortis, the ruthless leader of a middle-aged gang called the Minute Men. Hamilton imparts a chilling truth: "For few to be immortal, many must die." His words highlight a harsh reality where the wealthy hoard time while the poor spiral into desperation. Will grapples with the injustice of a system that favors the rich, questioning, "Where would you put them?"
After giving Will an astonishing 116 years of time, Hamilton tragically takes his own life, leaving Will devastated. Upon discovering that his mother couldn't afford bus fare due to sudden price hikes, Will races to find her. In a heartbreaking moment, as they embrace, Rachel succumbs to time running out. Wracked with grief, Will swears revenge and heads to New Greenwich, armed with the time Hamilton gifted him.
At the casino there, he catches the attention of Sylvia (played by Amanda Seyfried), the daughter of a wealthy businessman. He wins big against her father, Philippe Weis, resulting in an invitation to a glamorous party. However, his fortunes turn as Raymond León (portrayed by Cillian Murphy), a timekeeper, confiscates most of his time, leaving him with only two hours. In a daring move, Will takes Sylvia hostage and returns to the ghetto, where they face an ambush from Fortis, who robs Sylvia of her time.
As they navigate their plight, Will's resolve strengthens. He decides to retrieve the time he previously gifted his friend, only to find he has died in a tragic accident. Determined, he starts a series of Time Bank heists, aiming to redistribute time to the desperate people of Dayton. In doing so, his actions draw the ire of the wealthy, placing a hefty bounty on both him and Sylvia's heads.
In a gripping twist, Will realizes that the rich manipulate the system at will, maintaining their dominance through inflated costs. Their boldest heist nets them a staggering million years, but danger lurks as León converges on them. When confronted, León’s unexpected behavior reveals his past in the ghetto. In a final act of sacrifice, Will shares his remaining time with Sylvia, leading to a dynamic showdown with life and death hanging in the balance.
As the duo persists in dismantling the oppressive time system, they become symbols of rebellion against the established order, now with a 100-year bounty on their heads. The film culminates in scenes that depict a changing landscape, where the previously oppressed begin to cross borders as they gain access to abundant time. With their spirits unyielding, Will and Sylvia prepare for their most audacious heist yet, determined to challenge a system designed to keep them down.
