Chuck Noland, a FedEx systems engineer, leads a high-paced life driven by time, constantly traveling globally to fix operational issues. During a Christmas family dinner, Chuck's pager beeps, summoning him to resolve an emergency in Malaysia. He leaves his girlfriend, Kelly Frears, promising to return soon. A terrifying storm causes his plane to crash into the Pacific Ocean during the flight. Miraculously surviving the crash, Chuck finds himself marooned on a deserted island with no human in sight, forcing him to adapt quickly to a solitary survivalist lifestyle.

Utilizing remnants from the plane's cargo, Chuck learns to provide for himself – creating fire, catching fish, and essentially redefining his existence in complete isolation. As days turn into years, he holds onto a pocket watch containing Kelly's photo, which becomes a symbol of his hope and determination to return to her. The narrative explores Chuck's transformative journey as he confronts the brute forces of nature, the depths of loneliness, and the resilience of the human spirit in the face of overwhelming odds.