Alfred Borden (Christian Bale) was partnered with Robert Angier, and together, world renowned stage magicians. But he has a secret that must be kept from everyone, even his own wife.

So, living a secret, his life is put on the line when he is sentenced to death for murder. He develops a dangerous rivalry with Robert Angier, especially after creating a magnificent new trick, "The Transported Man," that Robert stops at nothing to figure out.