In the near future, a devastating war broke out on Earth. After the disaster, human civilization disappeared and the entire planet was devastated. The survivors survived in adversity and returned to the primitive for limited resources, and violence and blood spread wantonly. The silent black man Eli (Denzel Washington) is a solitary traveler who travels across the barren American continent and experiences many bleak and dangerous things. On this day, Eli came to a bustling town. The mysterious and dangerous Carnegie (Gary Oldman) controls the water source of the town, and thus becomes a wealthy and arrogant leader. At this time, there is a legend about a prophecy book about the future destiny of mankind, and Eli is the escort of this book. Carnegie sent his men to search for the prophecy book everywhere, but found nothing, but fate guided him and Eli to meet fatefully. What will be the fate of mankind...