James Cameron's much-imitated sci-fi classic. A humanoid cyborg from a future dominated by machines (Arnold Schwarzenegger) is sent back in time to kill the mother (Linda Hamilton) of the as-yet-unborn rebel leader John Connor. Meanwhile, the rebels also select an agent (Michael Biehn) to travel back in time and stop the Terminator, thereby ensuring that events follow their pre-ordained course.

Federal Marshal John Kruger (Arnold Schwarzenegger) is assigned to look after people as part of the Federal Witness Protection System. His latest charge is Lee Cullen (Vanessa L. Williams), a key witness in a case against her employers, the Cyrez Corporation, who are secretly selling their hi-tech weapons to the Russian Mafia. Her safe passage to the courtroom is endangered by corruption within the ranks of Kruger's bosses, which leads to him being framed and thrown off the force.