In the future, humanity has consumed planet Earth and moved to a new star system, colonizing many planets and moons. A new totalitarian regime, known as the Alliance, has taken control. When Dr. Simon Tam (Sean Maher) rescues his telepathic sister, River (Summer Glau), from the clutches of government scientists, they are sheltered by a group of mercenaries and smugglers aboard the spacecraft Serenity, lead by the former war hero Captain Malcolm 'Mal' Reynolds (Nathan Fillion). Now the Alliance is hot on the heels of the crew and its passengers, with The Operative (Chiwetel Ejiofor), a sinister Alliance tracker, leading the chase. Written and directed by Joss Whedon, Serenity is a continuation of the beloved, short-lived TV series Firefly.