William Parish, portrayed by Anthony Hopkins, is a wealthy businessman who has successfully steered his empire for over four decades in the bustling city of New York. The passing of his beloved wife leaves him in a profound emptiness, leading him to believe that Death is now pursuing him. Mysterious voices swirl in his mind, mocking him relentlessly. On the brink of his 65th birthday, his daughter Allison (played by Marcia Gay Harden) is preoccupied with organizing a grand celebration for him. Meanwhile, his other daughter, the captivating doctor Susan (portrayed by Claire Forlani), is entangled in a relationship with Drew (Jake Weber), a board member whom William disapproves of, urging her to seek someone more worthy.
One fateful morning, Susan encounters a charming stranger (played by Brad Pitt) at a café, only to learn moments later of his tragic demise when he's struck by a car. Soon after, Death appears at William's doorstep, revealing himself to be the same young man who had just perished. Striking an unconventional deal, Death wishes to escape his eternal duties and requests William to guide him through the world of mortals, allowing William to stay alive a while longer. After some initial uncertainty about his own sanity, William reluctantly acquiesces.
During dinner, the charming stranger—now assuming the name "Joe Black"—awkwardly joins William's family. Susan instantly recognizes him but is puzzled by his unusual demeanor, which starkly contrasts with their earlier encounter. The family grows confused about this "old friend" whom they've never met before. Despite understanding his days are numbered, William is perplexed by how rapidly everything starts to unravel. A significant merger is proposed for his company, strongly backed by Drew, who becomes increasingly hostile toward Joe.
While Susan begins to see Drew's true colors, she finds herself drawn to the enigmatic Joe Black. Their relationship intensifies, leading to a moment where she confesses her love. However, Death, reveling in human experiences, insists on intertwining his fate with Susan's, challenging the initial agreement made with William. As William’s birthday arrives, he attempts to impart lessons of love, honesty, and sacrifice to Joe.
The celebration unfolds in a splendid manner as Joe disguises himself as an IRS agent. During this memorable soirée, Joe realizes that love sometimes necessitates sacrificing his desire to take Susan with him. Unknown to William, Drew conspires to unseat him as Chairman, manipulating board members with insider information gleaned from William’s son-in-law Quince (Jeffrey Tambor). As the board votes to remove William, Drew gets the merger approved, leaving Quince distraught over the unfolding tragedy.
In a twist of fate, Joe leverages his knowledge as the "IRS agent" to confront Drew, forcing his resignation from both the company and his relationship with Susan. This act not only reinstates Bill as Chairman but allows him to cherish the fleeting moments with his daughters. As the evening comes to a close with a spectacular fireworks display, Joe bids an emotional farewell to Susan, hinting at his true identity. Susan, sensing a deeper truth, remains unable to articulate her understanding.
As Joe leads William away from the festivities, Susan watches with palpable sorrow. Suddenly, Joe reappears, transformed back into the young man she first met, oblivious to the turmoil that occurred. Their brief exchange reveals to Susan that while Joe (Death) has departed, the connection remains, evoking bittersweet memories of her father. With tear-filled eyes, she expresses her wish that he could have known her father, leading to an ambiguous but hopeful resolution as they take each other's hand, stepping back into the celebration of life.
