Summary
Highlights
Michael Newman struggles to balance his demanding job as an architect with his family life, often sacrificing time with his wife, Donna, and children to impress his boss and earn a promotion. He expresses a strong desire for a universal remote control to simplify his life, wishing he could fast-forward through tedious or unpleasant moments.
Frustrated with his inability to find a universal remote, Michael stumbles into a Bed Bath & Beyond store and encounters a quirky inventory clerk named Morty, who provides him with a unique universal remote control. Morty warns him that the remote is not returnable and has unusual capabilities beyond just controlling electronics.
Michael discovers the remote can control his actual life, allowing him to mute annoying sounds, fast-forward through arguments, and even relive memories. He uses it to skip inconveniences like sickness and family gatherings he deems boring, unknowingly sacrificing precious moments. Morty reappears to explain that the remote operates on 'autopilot' for recurring skipped events.
Michael successfully lands a major account, leading to his long-awaited promotion to partner. However, he continues to fast-forward through family events, including his son's swim meet and his parents' visit. The remote's 'autopilot' feature begins to take over, skipping large chunks of his life, making him miss his children growing up and important moments with Donna.
Michael finds himself years in the future, having unknowingly fast-forwarded through significant parts of his life, including his dog's death and arguments that led to his separation from Donna. He confronts Morty, who explains that the remote programs itself based on his repeated desires to skip certain events. Michael's desire to focus on work has led him to inadvertently neglect his family.
Michael fast-forwards further into the future to see the consequences of his actions. He finds himself estranged from his now adult children, who have developed personalities he barely recognizes. Donna has moved on and remarried. He also misses the death of his father, a deeply painful realization of his lost time.
At his son's wedding, a now elderly Michael suffers a heart attack. In his dying moments, he sees his son making the same mistake by prioritizing work over his honeymoon. Michael, desperate to save his son from repeating his mistakes, uses his last ounce of strength to follow him and tell him that family comes first, even at the cost of his own life.
Michael wakes up back in Bed Bath & Beyond, realizing his entire future was a dream. He still possesses the remote but is now profoundly changed by the experience. He rushes home, cherishing every moment with his family, promising to put them first. He even receives a note from Morty, acknowledging his transformation and wishing him well.