Cris Johnson, portrayed by Nicolas Cage, possesses a unique gift that allows him to glimpse into his future, albeit only for a duration of two minutes and exclusively concerning himself. This peculiar ability is complicated further by a singular vision of a woman entering a diner—one that drives him to visit the establishment daily at 8:09 in hopes of meeting her. By day, Cris performs as a small-time magician in Las Vegas, supplementing his earnings through gambling, expertly using his power to win modest sums against the house.
His unusual talents soon draw the interest of NSA Agent Callie Ferris, who has deduced his potential to assist in thwarting a nuclear threat posed by Russian terrorists. However, before Ferris can make contact, Cris’s gambling exploits attract the attention of casino security. By forecasting the actions of those pursuing him, he skillfully eludes both his pursuers and the local police.
Despite skepticism from NSA Director Wisdom (Jim Beaver), Ferris is given a challenge: track down Cris within five days. Teaming up with fellow agent Cavanaugh (Tory Kittles), she locates Cris but loses him when he anticipates her arrival. Having foresaw the entire conversation with Ferris, he is well-prepared for her attempts to enlist his help.
One evening, as he resumes his vigil at the diner, he finally encounters Liz Cooper, played by Jessica Biel—the woman from his earlier vision. Cris discovers that he holds the power not only to see the future but also to manipulate it based on his actions. When Liz's aggressive ex-boyfriend confronts them, Cris envisions multiple outcomes of his interference and strategically chooses his actions to win Liz's favor. As she is heading towards Flagstaff, Cris cunningly persuades her to give him a ride, unaware that Ferris is tailing them while the terrorists, monitoring FBI movements, tighten their grip.
With the nuclear device's location traced back to Los Angeles, Ferris convinces her superiors to include Cris in their operation, especially as the threat inches closer to realization. In a race against time, Cris and Liz find themselves spending the night in a motel, where Ferris attempts to dissuade Liz, alleging that Cris is dangerous. In a surprising twist, Liz defies Ferris and warns Cris about the impending danger, revealing the reality of his foresight.
After a daring rescue against some falling logs puts Cris in the FBI's crosshairs, he finds himself taken captive as the terrorists kidnap Liz. The NSA pressures Cris to yield a vision that will aid them. Instead of foreseeing the bomb's detonation, he sees a terrible scenario where Liz is fatally harmed, strapped to a bomb vest. This drives him to escape and rush to save her.
In a tense showdown at the parking garage, Cris uses his abilities to dodge bullets while engaging with the terrorists, revealing just how potent his powers can be. With the terrorist threat seemingly neutralized, they soon discover the bomb has already been relocated. As they attempt to track it, Ferris shows Cris a seismograph to help him uncover any signs of the impending explosion. However, as he concentrates, he realizes he has made a dreadful miscalculation; the bomb explodes at sea, devastating the port and inflicting catastrophic damage on the city.
In a twist of fate, time resets to a day before in their hotel room in Arizona. Realizing that Liz's involvement has allowed him to envision the chain of events leading to the nuclear catastrophe, Cris acknowledges the profound impact of choice on the future. With renewed purpose, he contacts Ferris to offer his help once more, assuring Liz he will return. > "Every time you look into the future, it changes."
