The starship Avalon, operated by the Homestead company, is on a monumental journey to relocate over 5,000 colonists alongside 238 crew members to the lush planet Homestead II—a voyage that spans an astonishing 120 years. This mass exodus results from the devastating consequences of Ecocide and the imminent collapse of Earth’s biosphere. While all aboard are nestled in hibernation pods, a catastrophic event unfolds. As the ship navigates a perilous asteroid field, its energy shield is severely compromised by a barrage of space debris, leading to a malfunction that awakens Jim Preston (played by Chris Pratt) a mechanical engineer, a staggering 90 years earlier than planned.
With the entire crew still in slumber, Jim comes to a harrowing realization: he is alone. His ID badge only grants him limited access throughout the ship, severely restricting him from the bridge and other key areas, while communication with Earth is impractically delayed—messages taking 19 years to arrive, with replies not expected for an incredible 55 years. The prospect of returning to hibernation becomes a distant dream as he struggles to repair the faulty pod. Isolated for an entire year, with little more than an android bartender named Arthur (voiced by Michael Sheen) for company, Jim grapples with despair, even contemplating the ultimate act of surrender by opening the airlock without a space suit.
Amidst his solitude, Jim discovers the enchanting Aurora Lane (portrayed by Jennifer Lawrence), encased in her pod. Drawn to her captivating personality from her video profile—which showcases her wit and warmth—Jim wrestles with the ethics of waking her for companionship. After much deliberation and a chat with Arthur, he decides to revive her under the guise of a pod malfunction. However, as the truth unfurls, Aurora is distraught upon realizing she was manipulated into awakening and could age before the ship reaches its destination.
Both struggling to accept their circumstances, Aurora attempts to re-enter hibernation, only to find it futile. Surprisingly, they find solace in each other's company, engaging in activities like video games and space excursions, blissfully unaware of the growing peril aboard the ship. Aurora, as a gold class passenger, enjoys superior amenities, including better food options and access to the luxurious swimming pool—luxuries Jim never experienced due to his status as a low-class passenger. Over the years they share together, love blossoms, and just as Jim plans to propose, their fragile world cracks when the devastating truth emerges, fueled by a slip of Arthur's digital tongue.
As tensions rise, the ship begins to unravel; malfunctions escalate to alarming levels, culminating in a near-fatal incident in the swimming pool. Eventually, a new passenger, Gus (played by Laurence Fishburne), a Chief Deck Officer, awakens, bringing with him a glimmer of hope. Discovered through Gus's personnel code, they gain vital access to the bridge where they uncover a series of catastrophic failures within the ship's systems. The implications are dire—without intervention, they face dire consequences that would seal the fate of all aboard.
Gus's condition deteriorates, diagnosed with Pansystemic Necrosis (Progressive Organ Failure) due to hibernation pod failures. With nothing but a few precious moments left to live, he hands over his ID badge, empowering Jim and Aurora to confront the ship's growing crises. They uncover damage from the earlier asteroid collision near the reactor, which has become a ticking time bomb of catastrophic odds. Jim bravely performs a spacewalk to vent a runaway plasma reaction, risking his life for their survival. Aurora's steadfast love shines through as she fights to save him.
After an intense battle for survival, aided by the ship's Autodoc, Jim is rescued from the brink of death. With the reactor fixed and the ship functioning once more, Jim learns that he could offer one last gift to Aurora: the chance to hibernate for the rest of their journey. However, she chooses the uncertain path of remaining awake alongside him. In a poignant moment, he presents her with a makeshift engagement ring, one she joyfully accepts.
Fast forward 88 years, the ship's passengers and crew awaken, greeted by the beauty of Homestead II—a breathtaking landscape filled with nature's wonders and a heartfelt recording narrating the incredible life Jim and Aurora forged together on their journey.
