In the serene Irish countryside, an ancient stone column is inadvertently uprooted by farmers, unleashing a monstrous, pagan deity that was imprisoned within the earth. The creature, known as Rawhead, is a towering, malevolent entity driven by a primal hunger and a fierce desire to reclaim its former reign of terror. With its awakening, the once tranquil rural community becomes a nightmarish ground, as Rawhead begins to methodically hunt and assert its dominance, leaving a trail of chaos and bloodshed.

The brutal rampage catches the attention of an American photographer, Howard, and his family who are visiting the area for his research on religious artifacts. As the local community grapples with inexplicable horrors and the loss of their loved ones, Howard digs deeper into the village's history and lore in search of a means to stop the seemingly invincible beast. He must race against time, encountering disbelief and ancient secrets, while Rawhead feeds on local denizens, asserting its gruesome power. With each life taken, the urgency to find a weakness in the creature's armor grows, steering the townsfolk and Howard towards a terrifying confrontation.