In this Shakespearean adaptation, Hermia (Anna Friel) is being forced to marry Demetrius (Christian Bale) while she wishes to marry Lysander (Dominic West). At the same time, her best friend Helena (Calista Flockhart) is in love with Demetrius, though he does not care about her. Hermia and Lysander decide to run away in order to marry and are pursued by Demetrius and Helena. Accidentally, they stumble into a forest that is ruled by Oberon (Rupert Everett) and Titania (Michelle Pfeiffer), the king and queen of the fairies. Oberon's servant Puck (Stanley Tucci) creates havoc among the four lovers due to the magic that he places on them.