Thirty years after a nuclear holocaust, the wasteland of the former United States is a harsh, desolate environment. Eli, a lone traveler with remarkable survival and combat skills, roams this barren land. He arrives in a dilapidated town controlled by the warlord Carnegie, who is obsessed with finding a powerful book that his men have been unable to locate. Eli, wearing sunglasses and ragged clothing, demonstrates his prowess by swiftly defeating a gang of bikers in a bar fight, which earns him Carnegie’s attention.

Carnegie, realizing Eli is literate and potentially possesses the book he’s seeking, forces him to stay the night under guard. During his stay, Eli befriends Solara, Carnegie’s daughter, and offers a prayer before a meal, which clues Carnegie into the fact that Eli has a Bible—the book he covets. Despite Eli’s attempt to escape, Carnegie’s men confront him in the street, leading to a fierce battle where Eli remains unharmed while many of Carnegie’s henchmen are killed.

After the battle, Eli continues his journey westward with Solara, explaining that he has been guided by a voice instructing him to protect and deliver the Bible to a safe location. They are briefly taken in by seemingly hospitable residents, George and Martha, but soon discover the couple are cannibals. As Carnegie and his men arrive, a violent confrontation ensues, resulting in the deaths of the cannibals and most of Carnegie’s men. Carnegie captures Eli and Solara, and under threat of death, Eli is forced to surrender the Bible before being shot and left for dead.

Solara manages to escape, finds Eli, and they reach the Golden Gate Bridge. They row to Alcatraz Island, where a group is dedicated to preserving literature and music. Eli, though gravely injured, dictates the entire Bible from memory to Lombardi, the sanctuary’s leader, ensuring the survival of its contents. Meanwhile, Carnegie discovers the Bible is in Braille, realizing that Eli was blind all along. In the town, Carnegie’s power crumbles as his injury worsens and his forces dissipate.

Eli dies at the sanctuary, but his mission is accomplished as the Bible is printed and placed alongside other holy texts. Solara, offered refuge at the sanctuary, decides to return home with Eli’s belongings, including his machete, symbolizing the continuation of his legacy and the enduring hope for a better future.