Media tycoon William Parrish (Anthony Hopkins) is approaching his sixty-fifth birthday when he encounters Death (Brad Pitt) himself. Parrish is offered a few extra days of life if he allows the Grim Reaper into his home and, keen to finish off an important company merger, agrees, introducing his new guest to friends and family as Joe Black. Joe begins to fall in love with Parrish's daughter, Susan (Claire Forlani), who is engaged to Drew (Jake Weber), Parrish's deputy. When Parrish decides against the merger, Drew stages a boardroom coup and attempts to oust the tycoon.