Kurt Kunkle, a rideshare driver desperate for social media fame, concocts a sinister plan to go viral. Frustrated by his lack of success despite years of effort, Kurt devises a scheme called "The Lesson," where he installs cameras in his car and begins livestreaming his rides, with the aim of capturing shocking and extreme content to gain a massive following. He starts picking up passengers and subjecting them to increasingly dangerous and violent situations, all while promoting his social media handles. His erratic behavior and desperation for attention lead him down a dark path, leaving a trail of chaos in his wake.

As Kurt's actions escalate, his erratic behavior catches the attention of a comedian named Jessie Adams, who unwittingly becomes entangled in his deadly quest for internet fame. Kurt's encounters grow more and more perilous, drawing the notice of the authorities and the public. With his viewership growing but his grip on reality loosening, tensions rise as he navigates a series of harrowing events, forcing Jessie and others caught in his web to confront the terrifying lengths one will go for fleeting online notoriety.