Thomas Newton (David Bowie) is a mysterious man. Appearing out of nowhere, Newton makes the acquaintance of patent lawyer Oliver Farnsworth (Buck Henry). It seems Newton is a genius and has developed many fascinating new inventions. Using this newly patented technology, these two men start a company called World Enterprises. Soon, WE is everywhere, and the firm and Newton are known around the world. But like Howard Hughes, Newton shuns the public. No one really knows who he is or what he wants. All that we can determine is that he does have some agenda, for he needs to make as much money as possible. For what? We don't know. Unorthodox college professor Nathan Bryce (Rip Torn) is highly intrigued by the enigmatic Newton. He has studied Newton for years, and now he has been hired by World Enterprises to work on their new space project. Now on the inside, Bryce, like so many others, wants to know Newton, but he remains distant from everyone. But this new space project is very important to Newton, and he soon visits Bryce to encourage the professor to explore certain avenues. As the two men meet, Bryce begins to think he's discovered Newton's secret. Bryce thinks Newton is an extraterrestrial trying to return to his home planet.Years pass and Newton seems to defy aging. He remains as youthful and pale as the first day Farnsworth met him. Edging closer and closer to his secret goal, Newton becomes restless. What is Newton's goal? Who is he? Is he really an alien or just an eccentric man?