A spaceship lands in Washington D.C., capturing the attention of the world. But the alien emissary (Michael Rennie) it brings refuses to reveal his mission to any single government, leaving the military, the politicians, and millions of ordinary people to wait in fear. Soon their distrust turns to calls for violence. But one young woman and her son (Patricia Neal, Billy Gray) befriend him...And soon realize that they may be all that stands between...

Governments and scientists race to unravel the mystery behind a visitor's appearance. Dr. Helen Benson is a renowned scientist who finds herself face-to-face with an alien called Klaatu. Klaatu has traveled across the universe to warn of an impending global crisis. She quickly discovers the deadly ramificications of Klaatu's claim that he is a 'friend to the Earth.' Now, she and her yourng stepson must find a way to convince the entity who was sent...