Vincent (Ethan Hawke) is an outsider, a natural birth or "In-valid", living in a world in which "designer people" forged in test tubes - rule society. Determined to break out of his imperfect genetic destiny and fulfil his dreams, Vincent meets Jerome (Jude Law), a "Valid" willing to sell his prime genetic material for cash. Using Jerome's blood, urine, skin and hair samples, Vincent is able to forge a new identity and pursue his goal of a mission to space with the Gattaca Aerospace Corporation, and enjoy a blossoming romance with Irene (Uma Thurman) another "Valid". However, a week before his flight, a Gattaca mission director is brutally murdered and Vincent finds himself pursued by a relentless investigator (Alan Arkin) threatening to expose his counterfeit life and reveal him as "In-valid", ending his dreams forever.