The film begins with Madison, a single mother, who finds herself dozing off in front of her laptop as she researches bankruptcy. She is startled awake by unsettling noises and checks on her young children, Jacob and Haley, who are peacefully asleep. However, her sense of security shatters when a grotesque figure materializes in her home, causing her to question her sanity as she murmurs to herself that it’s not real—only for the apparition to vanish moments later.
The following day, the situation escalates when two paranormal investigators conduct a sweep of the house. Their hasty retreat is prompted by an unnerving discovery captured by their EVP device, leaving Madison to confront her growing fears alone. Meanwhile, Jacob and Haley return from summer camp, but tensions rise when a social worker visits to address Jacob’s concerning outburst of violence, stemming from his father's unexpected departure. The counselor encourages Jacob to write a letter to his father to work through his feelings.
As Madison grapples with escalating paranormal disturbances, she also navigates her financial troubles and a burgeoning romance with Jacob’s science teacher, Nikolai. One day, she meets Austin Hamilton, who claims to represent a company desperately interested in purchasing her property. He hints that their offer exceeds the market value considerably, yet he cryptically mentions her land's importance to their “future plans.” Intrigued yet wary, Madison agrees to think it over.
When Jacob defends Haley from a bully named Danny at summer camp, tensions reach a boiling point. Although grateful for Jacob's protective nature, Madison scolds him for losing control yet again. In a bid to connect with Nikolai, Madison invites him over for dinner, where they share their past traumas. Their emotional intimacy quickly escalates into romance, but Madison feels compelled to push Nikolai away, fearing her chaotic life would only hinder their relationship.
Nighttime brings escalating horror as objects begin to levitate in Haley’s room and terrifying apparitions invade their sanctuary. A bald figure in white pursues them mercilessly, leaving burns on their arms. In a panic, Madison calls for help, but her children swiftly recover as if nothing had happened. Skeptical about their health, she arranges for a medical evaluation, only to be met with minimal explanations from the doctor, who suggests it may be psychosomatic.
Determined to uncover the truth, Madison scours the internet and stumbles upon a single account of a scientist unable to leave his lab after conducting experiments involving a proton accelerator. Meanwhile, Hamilton presses Madison to finalize the sale of her house, but she grows increasingly suspicious, sensing a connection between her family’s turmoil and Hamilton's insistence.
Frustrated with the situation, Madison ends her relationship with Nikolai, hoping to shield him from her complications. However, her sense of safety is shattered when a horrific creature emerges from her laundry, pushing her to her limits. The ensuing chaos leads to Nikolai witnessing the supernatural events firsthand. His scientific curiosity motivates him to assist Madison in uncovering the mystery plaguing her family.
With Nikolai’s help, they set traps and prepare weapons to confront their nightmare, sensing they can affect the apparition. As they gather strength to confront the man in white, chaos erupts when Hamilton is violently dragged into the house, culminating in a deadly struggle. Despite their best attempts to vanquish the specter, the creature proves resilient, wreaking havoc and leaving destruction in its wake.
As police officers arrive to investigate, the situation spirals into uncertainty and terror. In a desperate attempt to save her children, Madison confronts the creature, leading to a grave injury. Exhausted but determined, she faces off against the man in white as he wrestles with the fragments of his humanity, revealing a connection that transcends their encounters.
Finally, Nikolai manages to shoot the apparition, but not without grave consequences. As Madison succumbs to her injuries, the shocking truth about the man in white unveils a dark past rooted in governmental experiments gone awry. The film concludes with a startling twist: as Madison awakens in the future next to the embodiment of her darkest fears, the cycle of trauma begins anew, leaving audiences questioning the nature of reality itself.
