A man finds himself captivated by an underground erotic show that features a strikingly disturbing act: a naked woman poised to crush a live tarantula with her platform heel. The protagonist, Adam Bell, is a history professor who leads a monotonous existence in Toronto, revolving around teaching, solitary meals, and brief moments of intimacy. His mundane routine takes a bizarre turn when he rents a film titled Where There's a Will There's a Way, where he spots an actor, Anthony Claire, who bears an uncanny resemblance to him.
Driven by curiosity, Adam delves deeper and becomes infatuated with Anthony, whose stage name is Daniel Saint Claire. After discovering an old photograph that reveals a familiar face connected to a woman he cannot identify, Adam’s obsession grows. He embarks on a frantic search for Anthony, eventually mistakingly visiting his talent agency, where he unintentionally receives a confidential letter meant for Anthony.
When he manages to connect with Anthony's pregnant wife, Helen, she is alarmingly taken aback by Adam's likeness to her husband. The initial phone conversation, mistaken for a prank, escalates into an eerie miscommunication. Soon after, Adam's existence becomes a source of tension between Helen and Anthony, leading to a series of unsettling revelations.
As Adam and Anthony finally meet, they are struck by their identical appearances, even sharing the same scar. This encounter sparks an eerie shift in their lives, as they begin experiencing similar dreams featuring a naked woman with a spider's head, and a gigantic spider haunting their urban landscapes. The tension escalates when Anthony, now fixated on Adam's girlfriend, Mary, concocts a scheme involving identity theft that leads to dire consequences.
In a revenge-driven cascade, Anthony manipulates Mary into a relationship under Adam's guise. Meanwhile, Adam's confrontation with Helen reveals the depth of their connection, as he takes on Anthony's persona while uncovering dark truths. The ultimate climax leads to a tragic car crash involving Mary and Anthony, leaving Adam haunted.
The following day, donned in Anthony’s attire, Adam opens the previously received letter, revealing a key to the underground club that has haunted his thoughts. As he prepares to embrace this new phase—his intentions cloaked in uncertainty—he discovers, instead of Helen, a room-sized tarantula lurking in the shadows, leading him to ponder the surreal and haunting reality of his existence. With a heavy sigh, Adam faces the bewildering turn his life has taken, marked by fear and mystery.
