Gaia

Gabi and Winston, employees of South Africa's forestry service, set out on an adventurous expedition along a serene river in the enchanting Tsitsikamma forest. Their mission is not only to explore but also to ensure they leave no waste behind as they traverse the wilderness.

During their journey, Gabi has an unfortunate accident that leads to her losing control of her drone. In a bid to recover it, she decides to venture into the forest alone, demonstrating her commitment to environmental conservation.

As Gabi forges deeper into the forest, she accidentally triggers a hidden trap which results in a wooden stake piercing her foot. Despite the pain, she courageously removes the stake and continues her trek.

In search of a safe place to recuperate from her injury, Gabi stumbles upon an isolated wooden house. Inside, she tends to her wound and begins to explore her surroundings, not expecting to meet anyone.

Inside the house, Gabi encounters Barend and his son Stefan, who have made this secluded location their home. Understanding her predicament, they offer assistance, tending to her injuries and providing an insight into their unique lifestyle.

Meanwhile, concern grows for Gabi as Winston, having heard her scream, embarks on a frantic search through the ominous forest. His journey takes a dark turn when he encounters strange creatures that infect him with a spreading fungus.

As the night falls, Gabi becomes plagued by unsettling nightmares with visions of fungi manifesting on her body. The transformation from a simple expedition into a nightmare becomes evident as the sinister presence of the forest encroaches on her psyche.

Barend, revealing the shadows of his past, shares the tragic story of his wife Lily's death from bone cancer thirteen years ago. His reflective narration intertwines with the eerie atmosphere of the forest, deepening Gabi's understanding of the pain he harbors.

One fateful night, while Gabi is asleep, she is nearly overtaken by the invasive fungus. Barend intervenes at the last moment, saving her from a horrific fate as the creatures surrounding them threaten to breach their sanctuary.

As fear escalates, Gabi discovers that the creatures haunting them are just humans, grotesquely covered in fungi. Barend educates her on the chilling nature of the fungus, revealing its parasitic existence and its connection to the vast organism lurking nearby.

Deep within the forest, Barend engages in peculiar rituals involving offerings to a tree that houses the massive fungus. He and Stefan consume unusual mushrooms that grow around it, descending further into the forest's mysteries.

Gabi finds Winston's flashlight, leading her to a horrifying realization—Winston has been completely consumed by fungi and begs for death. This tragic moment reveals the depths of despair the forest can inflict on those it ensnares.

Amid the chaos, Stefan takes Gabi to see his mother who has morphed into a grotesque part of the forest, an animated tree still wearing her wedding ring. The shocking sight leaves Gabi in a state of panic and disbelief.

Gabi and Stefan attempt to escape the forest and confront Barend again. In a desperate bid to save Stefan from Barend's manipulation, Gabi fights back, leading to a tragic confrontation that transforms everything.

With time passing, Gabi succumbs to the fungus infecting her, pleading with Stefan to end her suffering. After a heartbreaking moment, he leaves her behind, moving toward the city, now aware of the omnipresent danger the forest represents.