A Victorian scientist propels himself into the future. Entranced at first by the Eloi, an elfin species descended from man, he soon realizes that this beautiful people are simply remnants of a once-great culture – now weak and childishly afraid of the dark. They have reason to be afraid: in tunnels beneath their paradise lurks another race – the sinister Morlocks. When the scientist's time machine vanishes he must confront the Morlocks or remain forever trapped in the future.