The charmed life and orderly household of media tycoon William Parrish (Anthony Hopkins) are suddenly disrupted by the arrival of enigmantic young Joe Black (Brad Pitt) who falls in love with Parrish’s beautiful daughter Susan (Claire Forlani).

For Parrish, Susan and the rest of the family, the consequences of this romance are profound, complicated and bittersweet, for Joe Black is actually the personification of Death — come to call on Parish.