In a tale that unfolds out of sequence, Karen (Sarah Michelle Gellar](/actor/sarah-michelle-gellar)) and her sister Aubrey (Amber Tamblyn) are drawn to a sinister legacy when their ailing mother, Joanna (Joanna Cassidy), sends Aubrey to Japan to retrieve Karen from a hospital where she’s been confined due to her deteriorating health. Upon her arrival, Aubrey struggles with the language barrier, unable to communicate with the nurses, including Yôko Chôsokabe, Kayoko Toda, and Shuri Matsuda. Fortunately, Eason (Edison Chen), a journalist who previously rescued Karen from peril, offers to translate.
Initially uncertain about Aubrey's intentions, Karen becomes desperate and urges her sister to take her away from the hospital. However, the staff restrains her, and in a moment of eerie calm, Karen whispers, “Aubrey, don't go in that house.” The atmosphere grows more chilling as the lights in Karen's room flicker ominously, leading her to struggle against her restraints. Just as she manages to escape, she encounters Kayako (Takako Fuji), whose presence signals disaster.
The nightmarish escapade escalates, culminating in a harrowing scene where Karen is pulled to her demise in front of Aubrey and Eason, leaving them to unravel the curse they inadvertently inherited. Eason, haunted by Danawa's past, finds himself unraveling the mysteries entwined with the Saeki family in hopes of understanding the sinister curse that plagues them. Later, compelled by her fears, Aubrey confronts the haunted house where her sister once lingered, only to be met with echoes of death and distress as she dives deeper into the tragic history.
In this relentless cycle of terror, Allison (Arielle Kebbel](/actor/arielle-kebbel)), a newcomer at an international Tokyo high school, struggles to fit in with the popular class led by Vanessa ([eresa Palmer) and Miyuki (Misako Uno). Eager to gain acceptance, she unwittingly becomes a prey to their cruel prank, which leads her to the cursed Saeki residence. What begins as a quest for friendship quickly spirals into madness, replete with supernatural hauntings from Toshio (Ohga Tanaka) and Kayako.
As fear grips the trio, they experience an increasing number of hauntings afterward. Trapped in a cycle of dread, they soon find themselves facing the dire consequences of their actions. A chilling scene unfolds when Vanessa is accosted in the locker room, succumbing to Kayako's terrifying grasp. With Miyuki drawn into the malevolent abyss, Allison finds herself entangled in the shadows of the past, confronting the horrifying truth of their fates.
In Chicago, the new blended family of Bill Kimble (Christopher Cousins) and Trish (Jennifer Beals) becomes ensnared within the ongoing horror that follows them from Japan. With their children, Lacey (Sarah Roemer) and Jake (Matthew Knight), the family is confronted by unsettling disturbances, leading to a catastrophic series of events that culminate in tragedy.
As the darkness that follows seems inescapable, Jake must face his fears head-on as the haunting truths of Allison’s curse become devastatingly clear. This malevolent force strengthens, reaching out from its origin to draw more victims into its sinister web, leaving the audience questioning who may survive the haunting consequences of the past. The terror escalates when Kayako emerges from the hidden corners to claim her share of suffering, intertwining the fate of those affected by her vengeful spirit.
