In 1977, Voyager II was launched containing a gold phonographic disk with a message of peace and inviting visitors to come to the planet Earth. Aliens, discovering the probe, send a small scout vessel.
However, instead of being greeted by its human hosts, the U.S. government shoots the alien craft down. Crashing in Wisconsin, the alien, as a blue ball of energy, finds a lock of hair of the deceased Scott Hayden in a photo album and uses it to clone a new body in the likeness of Scott. The Starman (Jeff Bridges) then sends a message to his people that the environment is hostile and requesting extraction in three days at landing area one.
This occurs in the home of Scott's widow, Jenny Hayden (Karen Allen). After being awakened by an intense light in her living room, Jenny witnesses the alien clone into her dead husband. The Starman has several small silver orbs which he turns into pure energy to perform miraculous feats. He uses one to create a map of the United States in order to compel the dumbstruck Jenny to take him to Arizona.
As the shock wears off and Jenny discovers the Starman is an alien clone of her husband, she turns both hostile and frightened of him. After repeatedly unsuccessfully attempting to escape, she finally implores the Starman to shoot her with her pistol. But instead, the Starman dramatically releases the pistol's clip and tells her he means her no harm. As they continue on their journey, the Starman, who had a rough understanding of English syntax from the phonographic disk on Voyager II, learns to communicate his presence to Jenny, and Jenny teaches the Starman that humanity is not completely savage.
