近未来某一年，地球爆发毁灭性极大的致命病毒，从而导致全球超过半数的人口死亡。一望无际的茫茫大海，似乎成为病毒无法涉足的神域，而汤姆·坎德勒船长（埃里克·迪恩 Eric Dane 饰）所统领的阿利·伯克级驱逐舰导弹驱逐舰“内森-詹姆斯”号，则成为天罚过后漫无目的漂流并等待 赦免的诺亚方舟。为了保存有生力量，同时确保船上的两名滤过性病原体学者研制出抗毒解药，坎德勒船长违抗了美国临时政府的召唤，带着船员踏上漫漫征途。然而一路上凶险倍至，为了补给和疫苗，他们不得不停靠港口和陆地，除此之外更有他国的船舰试图抢夺解药。更可怕的是，绝望和恐慌也在船员间蔓延。看不到未来的旅程，何日才是尽头…… 　　本片根据同名小说改编。Naval Destroyer Nathan James is sent on what they're told is a research mission in the Arctic. Accompanying them is scientist, Rachel Scott. After a few months in the Arctic while Scott is on the ice doing research, some men attack them. They get back to the ship and the Commander, Tom Chandler asks the doctor what's going on. She says that a deadly disease broke out a few months ago. At first, they thought it was contained but they had no cure. They felt that the cure was in the Arctic which why she's here. But she has since received word that it has now spread to most of the globe. Chandler tries to call the President but learns the President and Vice President are dead and the US government might not have long to survive. The current President tells him that the Nathan James was not in the hot zone so he and his crew are OK. But now it's up to them to safeguard Scott because she holds the key to the planet's survival. But there are those who want the cure too and they will do whatever they have to, to get it. So they keep going and trying to find supplies and what they need so Scott can make the cure.