In Victorian London, H.G. Wells invents a time machine, planning to use it to explore a utopian future. However, his plans are disrupted when his friend, Dr. John Leslie Stevenson, is revealed to be the infamous Jack the Ripper. Fleeing from the authorities, Stevenson uses Wells' time machine to escape to the future. Determined to capture the criminal and prove the potential of his invention to create a better world, Wells follows Stevenson to 1979 San Francisco. Arriving in this unfamiliar and futuristic city, Wells is both fascinated and horrified by its complexities and challenges.

In his pursuit of Stevenson, Wells teams up with Amy Robbins, a modern-day bank employee who is intrigued by his determination and claims. Together, they navigate the cultural shocks and growing dangers of the present day as they attempt to stop Stevenson from continuing his reign of terror. As Wells grows closer to Amy, he must also confront his own beliefs about humanity’s progress and the potential consequences of tampering with time. The journey tests his ideals and resilience, bringing him face-to-face with both the promise and peril of his revolutionary invention.