In a remote South Korean village, the tranquility of rural life is disrupted by a series of terrifying events. One day, a mysterious outsider appears, igniting curiosity and fear within the community. Shortly thereafter, inexplicable phenomena begin to occur, including the emergence of a strange cult and growing paranoia among the locals.
Police officer Jong-goo, a simple and somewhat clumsy man, becomes the protagonist of this enigmatic story. After his daughter starts exhibiting worrying and strange behaviors—which make her the latest victim of the terrifying presence that has arrived in the village—Jong-goo embarks on a frantic search for answers. With the help of a mysterious stranger and a woman who supposedly has knowledge of the supernatural, he delves into a world of cults, plebiscites, and dark rituals.
As clues around the situation unravel, Jong-goo faces not only forces beyond his understanding but also his own internal struggles. The investigation becomes an amalgamation of psychological terror and social realism, where desperation and horror intertwine within a framework of increasing tension. All the village's secrets seem to lead them toward an unexpected conclusion, leaving Jong-goo confronted with a moral dilemma that could change their lives forever.