The father (Tom Hanks) of Oscar Schell, a nine-year-old boy, died in the 9/11 accident, leaving a shadow in his young heart. Oscar accidentally found an envelope and a key with the name "Black" written on it. Oscar thought that this was a clue left by his father for him to find, and there must be some secret behind the key. Oscar told this secret to his old grandfather (Max von Sydow) who could not speak. Every weekend thereafter, Oscar began to look for people with the surname "Black" in five districts. Before his death, his father planned a "detective adventure" game with Oscar to find the sixth district, and told Oscar: Don't stop looking. This film is adapted from the novel by writer Jonathan Safran Foer.