Vincent (Ethan Hawke) dreams of becoming a space pilot, but in the world in which he lives only those people with prime genetic material can attain the top jobs. Determined to succeed, he makes a deal with the genetically-perfect Jerome (Jude Law) which will provide him with fresh daily samples of Jerome's urine, skin and hair, thus allowing him to fake his identity and find a place on the space program. The plan starts off working perfectly, but when one of the company's directors is murdered and Vincent becomes the main suspect, it can only be a matter of time before his secret is revealed.