In this time-bending adaptation of one of William Shakespeare's lesser-known plays, Titus Andronicus (ANTHONY HOPKINS) is a middle-aged general who's just victoriously returned from battling the Goths. Following tradition, Titus has one of the captured enemies ritualistically sacrificed despite the pleas of his mother, Tamora (JESSICA LANGE), the Goth queen, and her two surviving sons, Demetrius (MATTHEW RHYS) and Chiron (JONATHAN RHYS MEYERS).
His next decision, of supporting the corrupt Saturninus (ALAN CUMMING) to be the next emperor, is met with just as much displeasure. Titus is surprised, however, by Saturninus' choice of his daughter, Lavinia (LAURA FRASER), to be his bride despite her already being betrothed to Saturninus' own brother, Bassianus (JAMES FRAIN). When the young couple flees upon hearing the decision, Titus ends up killing one of his own sons who also disputed that decision. To his greater shock, Titus then hears that the new Emperor has chosen Tamora as his new bridal choice.
From that point on, Tamora, with the aid of her secret lover, the Moor Aaron (HARRY LENNIX), and her two sons, sets out to enact revenge upon Titus, Lavinia, and his surviving sons including Lucius (ANGUS MACFADYEN). In response, Titus finds that he must forgo his previous devotion to protocol and tradition and instead joins his other family members, including younger brother Marcus (COLM FEORE), in a battle against Tamora where nothing is sacred or safe from the poisons of revenge.