The film opens with Steven (Colin Farrell) conducting an open-heart surgery. Once the procedure concludes, he shares a light conversation with his anesthesiologist about watches, hinting at a deeper connection. Later, he encounters Martin (Barry Keoghan) at a diner, where he takes on a mentor role, surprising Martin with a watch he had been interested in. Steven's evening continues with a family dinner, where his son Bob (Sunny Suljic) expresses a desire to attend a party with his sister Kim (Raffey Cassidy). However, Steven insists Bob must first cut his long hair, to which his wife Anna (Nicole Kidman) argues against the restriction. This married couple’s dynamic takes a peculiar turn that night, culminating in a strange intimacy that showcases their troubled relationship.
The narrative takes a darker twist at a gala where Steven delivers a speech and reveals his sobriety when offered a cocktail. As Martin becomes a frequent guest at their home, an unsettling aura surrounds him. During a lighthearted dinner, Martin corners Steven with revelations about the tragic death of his father in an accident related to Steven's surgery. The emotional tension escalates when Martin hints at Steven being responsible for this loss, as he suggestively claims that Steven must pay a price: to sacrifice a member of his family to restore balance.
Strange occurrences ensue, with Bob suddenly becoming paralyzed and unable to feel his legs. The tension mounts as Martin visits Bob in the hospital, and the narrative eerily intertwines the children’s health crises. During a choir rehearsal, Kim falls ill, aligning her misfortune with Bob's. The couple grapples with fears while questioning if their fates are linked to Martin’s ominous threats.
As Anna confronts the anesthesiologist regarding Steven's previous drinking, a troubling connection emerges between the events and the family’s increasing distress. In private meetings, Martin manipulates the emotions of Kim and Bob, leaving the family in a state of unease.
The gravity of the situation intensifies when Steven resorts to desperate measures, resorting to violence against Martin, who claims responsibility for the family's plights. In a chilling turn of events, a decision must be made regarding who within the family must face the ultimate consequence of Steven's past actions. The film crescendos in a heart-wrenching climax where Steven confronts his family with a rifle, leaving speculations of whom he will sacrifice looming in the air.
In a haunting closure, as they dine in a diner reminiscent of earlier meetings, Martin’s presence brings a lingering tension as the family attempts to move past the trauma that has bound them. The conclusion leaves viewers grappling with the moral complexities surrounding guilt, family ties, and the tragic price of past decisions.
