Carly Norris, a [Sharon Stone](actor/sharon-stone), is a stunning and accomplished book editor in her mid-30s who recently moved into an exclusive and narrow sliver building in the heart of New York City, known for its unique architecture and high-rise design. She chooses this apartment because of its breathtaking view and the fact that it is situated on a high floor, offering her a private sanctuary above the bustling city streets.
As Carly settles into her new place, she struggles with feelings of regret over her past marriage, which lasted seven years. She reflects on how she feels she wasted much of her life and only recently realized that she and her ex-husband shared very little in common. This sense of regret fuels her desire for change and new beginnings. She quickly befriends her colleague Judy, played by [Colleen Camp](actor/colleen-camp), and meets her boss, Alex Parsons, portrayed by [Martin Landau](actor/martin-landau), who hints at a potential raise for Carly at work.
Carly's new apartment is connected to a cast of intriguing residents, including Zeke, a friendly [William Baldwin](actor/william-baldwin) who works as a video game designer; Jack, a novelist played by [Tom Berenger](actor/tom-berenger), who had experienced chart-topping success with his first two novels but has since fallen into obscurity; Vida, a glamorous fashion model and call girl, played by [Polly Walker](actor/polly-walker); and Gus, a university professor of videography, portrayed by [Keene Curtis](actor/keene-curtis). They share stories of the building's dark past, particularly the tragic death of the previous tenant, Naomi Singer, who fell to her death from her balcony. Naomi’s death appears mysterious, with a shadowy figure in a hoodie linked to her fall, and it is later revealed that she was pushed, adding to the suspense.
Carly is told she bears a striking resemblance to Naomi, fueling the rumor that she might somehow be connected to the building’s haunted history. The tenants reveal that every apartment has been secretly bugged with cameras, allowing someone to watch all their private moments, including intimate ones. Unbeknownst to Carly, her bathroom and even her private space are under constant surveillance, which she accidentally discovers when she sees herself through a hidden camera.
Zeke proves to be especially friendly, often helping Carly and appearing whenever she is around, creating an atmosphere of familiarity and trust. However, she starts to notice strange happenings — a mysterious gift of a telescope arrives at her apartment, which she uses to secretly observe Vida seemingly seducing Jack on the street. Carly's curiosity and suspicions grow as she begins to investigate her neighbors and their secrets more deeply.
Her growing friendship and romantic involvement with Zeke lead her into new territory, but their relationship is complicated by the watchful eyes of someone unseen. Their intimate moments are also recorded by the hidden cameras, raising questions about privacy and control. Jack’s obsessive behavior and warnings about Zeke heighten Carly’s unease; Jack claims that Zeke is "sick" and warns her that Zeke’s deceased mother, Thea Manning, a soap opera actress, closely resembles Carly. Jack insists that Zeke had an affair with Naomi and warns Carly to stay cautious.
Carly dismisses Jack’s warnings, especially when she starts dating Zeke, who becomes increasingly flirtatious and even engages her in risqué situations during a dinner at a restaurant. The tension escalates when Jack continues to stalk Carly and her friends, revealing more of his bizarre behavior. During this time, Gus mysteriously dies in the shower, and Vida is murdered, casting suspicion on Jack, especially after Carly finds him in a stairwell with Vida’s body.
Investigating further, Carly enlists the help of Lieutenant Victoria Hendrix, played by [C. C. H. Pounder](actor/cch-pounder). Zeke confesses that he owns the building and has installed a sophisticated surveillance system, which he used to spy on all his tenants. It is finally revealed that Zeke is the person behind the hidden cameras and the stalking — he has been secretly watching everyone, including Carly herself.
Realizing the extent of Zeke’s voyeurism deeply frustrates and angers Carly, but she also becomes intrigued by the surveillance setup and begins exploring the private lives of her neighbors using the system. Her discovery leads her to believe that Jack killed Naomi in a jealous rage, and she uncovers evidence linking him to the murder.
The situation spirals as Jack's behavior becomes increasingly unstable, culminating in a violent confrontation inside Carly’s apartment. During the attack, Carly accidentally shoots Jack in self-defense, ending his threat once and for all. Left with the evidence of Zeke’s duplicity, Carly confronts him about his secret watching and ultimately destroys his surveillance room, telling him to “get a life” before she leaves the building for good.
Throughout the film, themes of privacy, obsession, and the dark secrets lurking behind closed doors are explored, culminating in a tense climax that questions how well we can truly know those around us.
