After his wife dies in mysterious circumstances, journalist John Klein (Richard Gere) finds some strange sketchings of a moth-like creature in her notebook. Years later, after an unusual encounter in the town of Point Pleasant, Klein begins to find further evidence of this creature. With the help of local police officer Connie Mills (Laura Linney), he soon discovers that the appearance of the 'mothman' has been previously associated with impending disasters. But what particular fate could be threatening Point Pleasance, and can Klein find out before it's too late?