In the film, a journalist investigates a cursed videotape that seemingly kills the viewer seven days after watching it.

In Seattle, teenagers Katie Embry and Becca Kotler discuss the legend of a cursed videotape; whoever watches it dies seven days later. Katie claims she watched the tape with three friends a week ago. Minutes later, Katie is killed by an unseen force.

After Katie's murder at the hands of some unseen force, Becca is institutionalized.

At the funeral, Katie's mother urges her sister Rachel Keller, a journalist, to investigate the mysterious death. Rachel soon learns that all of Katie's friends who watched the videotape also died the same night.

Rachel travels to Shelter Mountain Inn and rents the same cabin where Katie stayed. She discovers the cursed videotape, which contains disturbing, gruesome imagery. Once the tape ends, Rachel receives a phone call from an unknown caller who whispers "seven days".

Rachel discovers that the tape's overscan does not include time code, which suggests that it wasn't made using electronic equipment.

Rachel begins to suffer supernatural symptoms, having visions of a young girl with soaking wet hair.

Samara Morgan possessed an ability to psychically etch mental images onto surfaces and into minds, driving her parents mad.

Rachel confronts Richard Morgan, who electrocutes himself in a bathtub upon learning Samara's powers are still at work from beyond the grave.

She wields no distinctive weapon, as her methods of killing are purely psychological in nature.