The sci-fi television series Firefly was cancelled mid-run in 2002, but acquired such a fervent cult following that writer/director Joss Whedon (creator of Buffy the Vampire Slayer) was able to revive it for the big screen. Nathan Fillion reprises his role as Captain Mal Reynolds, commander of the spaceship Serenity and a maverick adventurer in the tradition of Han Solo. After fighting on the losing side in a sort of inter-planetary civil war, he now ekes out a living in the galactic equivalent of the Wild West, displaying little regard for the law while remaining true to his own values. The action begins when doctor Simon (Sean Maher) rescues his sister River (Summer Glau) from a top-secret Alliance base, where the authorities have been trying to exploit her psychic powers. The film boasts all the thrills and excitement of the early Star Wars movies, while making some incisive points about governments that want to impose their views on everyone - no matter what the cost.

When the renegade crew of Serenity agrees to hide a fugitive on their ship, they find themselves in an action-packed battle between the relentless military might of a totalitarian regime who will destroy anything – or anyone – to get the girl back and the bloodthirsty creatures who roam the uncharted areas of space. But... the greatest danger of all may be on their ship.