A recently divorced woman and her diabetic adolescent daughter move into a spacious four-story New York townhouse equipped with an impenetrable "panic room" designed to provide refuge from intruders. On their very first night in the new home, they find themselves trapped inside the fortified sanctuary when three burglars break in, seeking a hidden fortune contained within the very room meant to protect its inhabitants. As the criminals seek to flush them out, the mother must rely on her wits to outmaneuver them while keeping her daughter safe.

As tension mounts, the intruders reveal differing motives and levels of resolve, with their leader driven by desperation. The situation becomes increasingly dire as they attempt escalating tactics, including trying to smoke them out and unconventional methods to access the room. Within the confines of the stronghold, the mother faces challenges to protect her daughter’s health, navigating the controls and resources within the panic room while maintaining communication with the intruders. The struggle for survival turns into a psychological chess game, as the mother uses every opportunity to gather information and seek assistance, putting her in a strategic fight against the clock. The battle of wits unfolds with mounting stakes, testing each character’s resilience and moral boundaries without losing hope of eventual safety.