A young man named Kurt Kunkle is driven by an intense desire to attain social media fame and go viral. His jealousy towards Bobby, a child he once babysat who has now become an internet sensation with impressive livestreaming numbers, pushes him deeper into his obsession. Eventually, Kurt secures a job with a rideshare app called Spree, transforming his vehicle into a mobile broadcasting studio equipped with cameras for a new livestream series titled "The Lesson," where he gives viewers tips on becoming social media stars.
As Kurt begins driving passengers, he resorts to a chilling tactic by poisoning bottles of water, subsequently handing them to unsuspecting riders in a bid for notoriety. Unfortunately for him, despite his heinous acts, his audience remains minimal, save for Bobby, who naively assumes that the murders are staged. When he later picks up Jessie Adams, a comedian boasting a substantial social media following, Kurt is starstruck, although Jessie remains unimpressed by his fixation on followers and exits the ride.
Things take a sinister turn when Kurt discovers that Jessie will be performing at an upcoming comedy show streamed to millions. Desperate for exposure, he confronts Bobby, demanding that he share his stream. When Bobby refuses and starts livestreaming their heated exchange instead, Kurt's jealousy boils over—resulting in Bobby’s murder. He subsequently hijacks Bobby's audience under the guise of an elaborate show, with viewers mistakenly believing it to be an act.
Kurt’s father, Kris Kunkle, also unwittingly gets ensnared in Kurt's dark web, asking for a ride to a club where a DJ named uNo is performing. After picking up Kris and driving him to the venue, Kurt courts uNo's attention but is initially met with rejection. However, she later agrees to tag Kurt in a post—under the condition that he brings her food from a taco truck. While waiting, uNo accidentally showcases Bobby’s gun on a livestream before consuming the poisoned water, collapsing shortly after.
When police officers approach, their interrogation piques their suspicion about Kurt, who is already being labeled "The Rideshare Killer," as news of his crimes begins to circulate. uNo survives, but in a panic, she shoots one officer and escapes, leading to an intense pursuit that culminates in Kurt crashing through a homeless encampment to evade capture. Amid the chaos, Spree is put on hold for an investigation.
Jessie, using her stage time to critique society's thirst for social media accolades, crafts a viral segment where she destroys her phone, marking the end of her set with a dramatic mic drop. Ironically, after having a few too many drinks, she finds herself in another rideshare with Kurt, who has killed the previous driver. Kurt viciously taunts Jessie, insinuating that her phone's destruction leaves her without a means of escape.
A fierce struggle ensues in the vehicle, leading to a crash where Jessie seizes the opportunity to regain control. After confronting Kurt at his house, she discovers the shocking fate of his mother before a chaotic climax unfolds. In a desperate and brutal struggle with Kurt, Jessie manages to turn the tables, and in the end, she makes a stunning public spectacle by taking a selfie with his lifeless body.
With her act of defiance rapidly elevating her status to a nationwide celebrity, Jessie emerges as a beacon against Kurt’s tyranny, while the infamy surrounding Kurt's gruesome endeavors gains traction in obscure corners of the internet, solidifying his infamous legacy.
