War

The film opens with a narration by Morgan Freeman, introducing the concept that humanity is unaware of the advanced intelligence observing them. These beings are planning an invasion while humanity remains complacent about its dominance on Earth.

Ray Ferrier, a crane operator in New York City, has his estranged children, Rachel and Robbie, dropped off by their mother, Mary Ann, who heads to Boston. This reunion sets the stage for the challenges they will face together amidst impending chaos.

Robbie takes Ray's car without permission, prompting Ray to go in search of him. During his search, he notices a strange wall cloud and various electrical devices begin to malfunction due to unusual lightning.

Ray discovers a hole in the ground where a massive Tripod emerges, displaying its destructive capabilities. It unleashes lethal heat rays on bystanders, leading to chaos and destruction in the town.

After narrowly escaping the attack, Ray quickly gathers his children and drives away in a car repaired by Manny, the local mechanic. They seek refuge at Mary Ann's house as the Tripod wreaks havoc.

As morning breaks, Ray finds a crashed Boeing 747 that the Tripods have downed, creating further destruction. He learns about the Tripods' long-prepared invasion by viewing footage captured by a news team.

Ray decides to flee to Boston to find Mary Ann but faces numerous challenges during their escape. They encounter a mob that forces them to abandon their car just before escaping a Tripod attack on a ferry.

Upon reaching Boston, Ray witnesses the military's efforts to combat the Tripods. Robbie, fueled by a desire to fight back, leaves with the military while Ray and Rachel are devastated by his departure.

Ray and Rachel find temporary refuge with a stranger named Harlan Ogilvy, whose family was killed by the aliens. While hiding, they witness the Tripods spreading a disturbing red weed across the landscape.

Ray and Rachel are horrified when Harlan undergoes a mental breakdown after witnessing the Tripods harvesting human blood for the red weed. In a desperate move, Ray kills Harlan to save them from being discovered.

After being detected by a probe, Ray and Rachel are captured by a Tripod. In a courageous act, Ray uses grenades to blow up the Tripod from the inside, leading to their escape and the release of other prisoners.

Ray and Rachel arrive back in Boston to find the red weeds dying and the Tripods acting erratically. Their observations lead to an opportunity as they alert soldiers, leading to an attack that brings one Tripod down.

Ray approaches the fallen Tripod and discovers an alien within it as it dies. This moment signifies a major shift in the battle between humans and the aliens who invaded their world.

In a moment of relief, Ray and Rachel reunite with Mary Ann and Robbie at her parents' house. Their survival brings hope amidst the destruction and showcases the resilience of their family.

The film concludes with Freeman's voiceover reflecting on mankind's triumph over the invaders, emphasizing that despite the devastation, humans have earned their right to survive through resilience and cunning.