The film initially focuses on the conflict between two different dimensions, Earthrealm (planet Earth) and the Outworld. Their representatives regularly face each other in martial arts tournament that is held once every generation. The Outworlders have won nine consecutive victories, and their evil emperor Shao Khan needs one more victory to gain the right to invade the Earth. The Earthrealm is defended by the benevolent thunder god Rayden, who has chosen a number of mortal champions to lure into joining the new tournament. The Shaolin monk Liu Kang cares only about defeating the sorcerer Shang Tsung, who stole the soul of Kang's deceased brother. The Special Forces officer Sonya Blade was simply hunting down her old foe Kano, and she has no idea why she was recruited for the tournament. The professional actor Johnny Cage simply wants to test his martial art skills. A minor complication is that the rebellious Princess Kitana (Shao Khan's adoptive daughter) sides with the Earthrealm's champions against her dad. She has not forgiven him for conquering her world and replacing her original family.