A Victorian scientist propels himself into the future. Entranced at first by the Eloi, an elfin species descended from man, he soon realises 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.