Tom, portrayed by Adrian Pasdar, is an actor cast as a priest in the chilling supernatural horror film The Georgetown Project, reminiscent of the classic The Exorcist. While rehearsing his lines on a New York film set, an enigmatic supernatural force claims his life in a gruesome twist. In the wake of this tragedy, a 16-year-old girl named Lee, played by Ryan Simpkins, returns home after being suspended from school for her act of rebellion against the principal.
The film’s intense director, Adam Goldberg, decides to bring in Anthony Miller, the character played by Russell Crowe, a seasoned actor battling alcoholism, to fill the vacant role that Tom has left behind. Both Lee and Anthony are grappling with the loss of Lee's mother, yet they find a silver lining when Anthony receives an opportunity to audition for a remake that draws inspiration from The Exorcist, primarily due to the disturbing nature of Tom’s untimely demise.
As Anthony dives into his role, he grapples with his past and his challenges both on and off the set, receiving overwhelming support from Lee, who takes on the role of his personal assistant. They start to mend their fractured relationship amid a team of film crew members, where Lee meets Blake, played by Chloe Bailey, a prominent TV actress known for playing a possessed girl. On the first day of filming, Blake recounts eerie occurrences that have plagued previous horror sets, warning Lee to brace herself for unsettling events.
Tony's struggles escalate when he faces haunting flashbacks linked to his traumatic childhood experiences. During a practice session, Lee unknowingly stumbles upon him in a compromising situation, which raises her concerns about his deteriorating mental state. Following a disturbing argument fueled by Anthony’s increasingly bizarre behavior, including self-inflicted injuries, tension rises in their household. Lee ultimately decides to leave, feeling overwhelmed by the chaos surrounding her father.
As filming progresses, the crew begins to notice Anthony's erratic behavior. Consulting with Father Conor, played by David Hyde Pierce, a Catholic priest and psychiatrist involved with the project, Lee shares her fears about her father and reveals his troubling history. Meanwhile, Anthony struggles to deliver his lines, leading Peter to push him to confront his past trauma. The situation spirals out of control on set when Tony experiences a dramatic and horrifying transformation, culminating in a chilling series of events that threaten the safety of everyone involved.
As momentum builds, tragedy strikes again when co-star Joe, played by Sam Worthington, faces a fatal encounter with a supernatural force, leading to a surge of fear that grips the remaining cast and crew. In an effort to regain control, Father Conor proposes an exorcism amid escalating chaos. As shadows of the past collide with the present, Lee finds herself in the firefight against the malevolent forces that have taken hold of her father.
In a gripping confrontation with the possessed Tony, Blake and Lee make desperate attempts to save Father Conor and themselves using an ancient prayer book. In a climactic battle, they confront the demon that has taken residence within Tony, igniting a desperate struggle between good and evil.
Ultimately, after a traumatic itinerary through fear, loss, and redemption, the story takes a poignant turn as Tony reflects on the deepened bond he has formed with Lee. Now, inspired by their journey, Lee embarks on a new creative path, beginning to pen her own screenplay, demonstrating that sometimes, amidst darkness, there's the possibility of healing and hope.
