What Is Contact About?
The premise of Contact in 320 words, with nothing given away. The full story follows below.
In the vast quiet of the night sky, a handful of dedicated scientists keep their ears trained on the cosmos, hoping that somewhere among the static a message might emerge. At the Arecibo Observatory, the atmosphere hums with a mixture of precise instrumentation and restless curiosity, a place where data streams become the language of possibility. The film opens within this world of disciplined observation, where the line between the known and the unknown feels both fragile and electrifying.
Ellie Arroway is the heart of that effort—bright‑minded, relentless, and shaped by the memory of a father who taught her that every whisper of the universe deserves to be heard. Her brilliance is matched by a quiet intensity that often isolates her from the more conventional paths of life. Alongside her, Kent Clarke, a visually impaired but deeply perceptive colleague, shares in the dream of turning silence into conversation, while Palmer Joss, a philosopher‑priest, offers a counterpoint of faith and humanity that both comforts and unsettles her. These relationships pull Ellie between raw scientific rigor and the softer, sometimes discordant, chords of personal belief.
Beyond the observatory’s dome, the endeavor faces forces that are less about starlight and more about earthly agendas. Funding battles, political skepticism, and the looming threat of budget cuts create a pressure cooker where the pursuit of knowledge must prove its worth against practical concerns. The presence of enigmatic benefactors and bureaucratic overseers adds a subtle undercurrent of tension, suggesting that the quest for extraterrestrial contact is as much a societal challenge as it is a scientific one.
The tone of the story balances awe‑inspiring wonder with a grounded, almost meditative, contemplation of what it means to listen for a voice beyond our planet. It invites the audience to share in the exhilaration of possibility while confronting the doubts and doubts that arise when humanity stands on the brink of an encounter it has only ever imagined.
What Happens in Contact?
The complete story of Contact, from the first scene to the last, in 682 words (about 3 minutes). Spoilers throughout. Names in the text link to 2 cast member pages.
Spoilers ahead
Dr. Ellie Arroway, played by Jodie Foster, is a dedicated researcher for the SETI program stationed at the Arecibo Observatory in Puerto Rico. Inspired by her deceased father Theodore’s passion for science and communication, Ellie uses her expertise to listen for radio signals from the cosmos, driven by the hope of discovering extraterrestrial life. Alongside her colleague, Kent Clarke, who is visually impaired yet shares her enthusiasm for the pursuit of the unknown, Ellie navigates the challenges of her mission with the assistance of research assistant Fisher.
In her personal life, Ellie finds herself in a relationship with Christian philosopher Palmer Joss, portrayed by Matthew McConaughey. During their time together, Ellie opens up about her atheism and the complexities of her fears and thoughts. Palmer, a part-priest writing about technology’s impact on disadvantaged communities, brings a different perspective to Ellie’s logical worldview. However, their relationship becomes strained when serious topics arise, forcing Ellie to distance herself.
Challenges emerge as David Drumlin, the president’s science advisor, decides to withdraw funding from SETI, deeming it a pointless effort. Fortunately, Ellie secures support from the enigmatic billionaire S. R. Hadden, allowing her team to continue their groundbreaking work at the Very Large Array in New Mexico. Fast forward four years to 1996, Ellie finally detects a signal featuring a sequence of prime numbers from the Vega star system, about 26 light-years away. Just when hope arises, Drumlin and National Security Council advisor Michael Kitz attempt to seize control of her findings, causing turmoil within the project.
The signal not only reveals the prime numbers but also a historical video—Adolf Hitler’s inaugural address from the 1936 Olympics—hinting at the first signal strong enough to reach another star and signal back to Earth. As the project garners intense global interest, Ellie finds a trove of over 63,000 pages of indecipherable data among the signal. Hadden clandestinely meets with Ellie to discuss the cutting-edge designs for a mysterious machine meant for a single occupant, aiming to decode its purpose.
Initially met with skepticism, the government’s position shifts when Palmer reenters the conversation, advocating for the construction of the machine. Public pressure results in the creation of this transport at the Kennedy Space Center, where an international committee convenes to select a candidate for the historic journey. Despite Ellie being a prime candidate, her atheism leads Palmer to express doubts, ultimately favoring Drumlin for the mission to represent humanity better.
An unexpected tragedy strikes when a religious extremist targets the new machine, claiming several lives, including that of Drumlin. However, amid despair, a dying Hadden reveals the existence of a second machine in Japan, allowing Ellie to seize the chance to be humanity’s representative. In an emotional reunion, Palmer expresses his previous reluctance to support her candidacy due to his feelings for her.
As Ellie prepares for the journey, she enters the machine, which propels her into a whirlwind of interstellar travel through a series of wormholes. She witnesses a radio-like structure at Vega and encounters an advanced civilization. In an astonishing twist, she finds herself on a beach reminiscent of her childhood drawings, where she meets a figure taking the form of her father. This alien explains that their appearance and setting were intentionally chosen to ease communication with Ellie, marking the beginning of humanity’s fate among cosmic beings.
Upon returning, Ellie is met with skepticism as she recounts her incredible experience. The mission control team insists that her journey lasted only moments, contradicting her assertion that she was gone for roughly 18 hours. This discrepancy raises doubts, and a Congressional Committee forms to challenge her claims, speculating on the possibility of a ruse. In an ironic twist, Ellie appeals to the committee to embrace her truth based on faith, reflecting an almost spiritual conviction about her experience.
As the dust settles, Kitz and White House aide Rachel Constantine privately ponder the implications of Ellie’s testimony, which recorded nearly an entire day’s worth of static despite the chaos. Finally, Ellie and Palmer reunite, finding solace and renewed purpose as she continues her work at the Very Large Array.
Contact Timeline: Every Key Event in Order
15 key events in the order they happen, from “Ellie's Dedication to SETI” to “Ellie's Appeal to Faith”. 6 events name a place, across 6 locations.
- 1
Ellie's Dedication to SETI
Dr. Ellie Arroway, a committed researcher, works tirelessly at the Arecibo Observatory in Puerto Rico, part of the SETI program. Inspired by her father Theodore's passion for science, she listens for radio signals from outer space, hoping to discover extraterrestrial life.
Where:Arecibo Observatory, Puerto Rico
- 2
Collaboration with Colleagues
Ellie collaborates with her colleague Kent Clarke, who, despite being visually impaired, shares her enthusiasm for the quest for knowledge. Together with research assistant Fisher, they tackle various challenges in their mission to uncover the secrets of the cosmos.
- 3
Relationship with Palmer
In her personal life, Ellie forms a complex relationship with Christian philosopher Palmer Joss. Their discussions often challenge Ellie’s atheism, as Palmer provides insights into how technology affects society, complicating her logical perspective on life and the universe.
- 4
Funding Crisis at SETI
Ellie's work faces a severe challenge when David Drumlin, the presidential science advisor, threatens to withdraw funding from the SETI program. This moment puts Ellie’s mission at significant risk, forcing her to fight for its survival.
- 5
Support from S. R. Hadden
Just as hope dwindles, enigmatic billionaire S. R. Hadden steps in to provide the necessary funding support for SETI. With renewed backing, Ellie and her team are able to continue their groundbreaking research at the Very Large Array in New Mexico.
Where:Very Large Array, New Mexico
- 6
Signal from Vega
Four years later, in 1996, Ellie receives a remarkable signal from the Vega star system, featuring a sequence of prime numbers. This discovery generates excitement, but also leads to tension when Drumlin and advisor Kitz attempt to control the findings.
When:1996 Where:Vega star system
- 7
Historical Footage Revealed
The signal not only includes prime numbers but also a video of Adolf Hitler's inaugural address from the 1936 Olympics. This alarming revelation indicates that humanity's first strong signal has successfully made contact with another civilization.
- 8
Discovery of Indecipherable Data
As interest in the project intensifies worldwide, Ellie discovers over 63,000 pages of indecipherable data within the received signal. This unexpected find raises questions about the potential meaning and significance of the transmission.
- 9
Construction of the Machine
In a controversial turn of events, public pressure mounts for the construction of a machine to facilitate contact with the alien civilization. Despite her candidacy, concerns about Ellie's atheism lead Palmer to support Drumlin as the primary candidate for the mission.
Where:Kennedy Space Center
- 10
Tragic Attack
A devastating attack by a religious extremist targets the newly constructed machine, resulting in several fatalities, including that of Drumlin. This tragedy underscores the dark side of the mission and its implications for humanity.
Show the other 5 events of Contact Hide the last 5 events
- 11
Revelation of a Second Machine
In a moment of urgency, dying billionaire Hadden reveals the existence of a second machine located in Japan. This information gives Ellie a glimmer of hope and the opportunity to represent humanity in the cosmic journey.
Where:Japan
- 12
Ellie Prepares for Departure
As Ellie gears up for the journey, she steps into the machine that will take her through a series of exhilarating wormholes in space. This moment marks a pivotal transition from being a scientist to becoming a representative of humanity.
- 13
Encounter with Advanced Civilization
During her interstellar journey, Ellie arrives at Vega and comes face to face with an advanced civilization. In an astonishing twist, she is transported to a beach resembling her own childhood drawings and meets a figure taking the shape of her father.
Where:Vega
- 14
Return and Skepticism
Upon her return to Earth, Ellie's claims of an 18-hour journey are met with skepticism from the mission control team, who insist it lasted only moments. This disagreement leads to further questioning of her experience, resulting in a Congressional Committee meeting.
- 15
Ellie's Appeal to Faith
In a powerful conclusion, Ellie appeals to the committee to recognize her experience based on faith rather than mere scientific proof. Her testimony holds significant weight as Kitz and Constantine reflect on its implications for humanity's understanding of the universe.
Who Are the Main Characters in Contact?
2 characters, among them Dr. Ellie Arroway (Jodie Foster) and Palmer Joss (Matthew McConaughey): who each one is and the part they play in the story. Every profile links to the actor’s page.
-
Dr. Ellie Arroway (Jodie Foster)
Played by Jodie Foster
Dr. Ellie Arroway is a determined scientist devoted to the search for extraterrestrial life. Her passion for her work stems from her father's influence, driving her to overcome skepticism and challenges in her quest. Throughout the film, Ellie embodies logical reasoning yet grapples with emotional and spiritual dilemmas.
- 👩🔬 Scientist
- 🌟 Determined
- 💔 Complex
-
Palmer Joss (Matthew McConaughey)
Played by Matthew McConaughey
Palmer Joss is a Christian philosopher and Ellie's love interest, who brings a contrasting perspective to her scientific worldview. His belief in the intersection of faith and technology challenges Ellie to confront her own views. Palmer's character oscillates between support and doubt, reflecting the complexities of love and belief.
- 💔 Philosopher
- 🔄 Supportive
- 🤔 Skeptical
Where and When Is Contact Set?
Contact is set in Arecibo Observatory, Puerto Rico, Very Large Array, New Mexico, Kennedy Space… (1990s). Here is why the time and place matter to the story.
When
1990s
The movie is set in the 1990s, a decade during which the world experienced immense technological advancements and growing interest in space exploration. It was a time marked by both optimism and skepticism regarding the potential existence of extraterrestrial life and the implications of such a discovery for humanity.
Where
Arecibo Observatory, Puerto Rico, Very Large Array, New Mexico, Kennedy Space Center, Japan
The Arecibo Observatory in Puerto Rico is renowned for its large radio telescope, which is pivotal in the search for extraterrestrial signals. The Very Large Array in New Mexico is another significant facility that supports advanced astrophysical research. The Kennedy Space Center, located in Florida, symbolizes human ambition in space exploration, serving as a launchpad for monumental missions. In Japan, the discovery of a second machine presents an opportunity for global cooperation in understanding the universe.
- 🏞️ Observatory
- 🌌 Space
- 🏗️ Construction
What Are the Themes of Contact?
3 ideas the story keeps returning to, among them Exploration, Faith vs. Science and Love and Relationships.
-
01
Exploration
The theme of exploration is central to 'Contact,' showcasing humanity's unyielding desire to understand the universe. Dr. Ellie Arroway embodies this quest, driven by scientific curiosity and the hope of connecting with other life forms. The film posits that exploration can foster connections, both with the cosmos and within human relationships.
-
02
Faith vs. Science
The film navigates the complex relationship between faith and science, as Ellie grapples with her atheism against Palmer's spiritual beliefs. This theme plays out through their interactions and presents a commentary on how humanity seeks meaning in the unknown. It illustrates the struggle to reconcile personal belief systems with empirical evidence.
-
03
Love and Relationships
The exploration of love and relationships is crucial to the narrative, especially through Ellie's connection with Palmer. Their dynamic showcases the tension between personal convictions and the complexities of relationships when faced with existential questions. It highlights how love can evolve amid challenges and differing worldviews.
What Kind of Film Is Contact?
Hopeful in tone, with steady pacing and a complex story, going by the plot summary.
- Tone
- Hopeful
- Pacing
- Steady
- Story
- Complex
- Intensity
- High
- Ending
- Bittersweet
An intellectually demanding and emotionally stirring journey that balances high-stakes scientific discovery with profound personal faith, creating an awe-inspiring yet melancholic experience about humanity's place in the cosmos.
- awe-inspiring
- contemplative
- tense
- melancholic
- lonely
- hopeful
- search for extraterrestrial intelligence
- science vs religion
- father daughter relationship
- existentialism
Content notes: bombing, death of a mentor.
Quiz
How well do you remember Contact? Test yourself on the story.
