British Columbia, 1976. Following a miscarriage, Michelle has a terrifying dream and consults psychiatrist Dr. Pazder. Under hypnosis, she recalls horrific events from her childhood – memories of debauchery, human sacrifice and satanic cults long buried in the deepest recesses of her mind. Pazder records their sessions and the two co-author a book.
When several children describe similar incidents of satanic abuse, teachers of the family-run McMartin preschool are arrested. After one child describes secret tunnels beneath the McMartin school, some parents dig up the grounds but are unable to find evidence. A young mother is torn between disbelief and the convincing accounts of the children. By the time Michelle appears on Oprah, hundreds of testimonies are surfacing in the United Kingdom, Australia, New Zealand and Canada.
A global hysteria ensues, leading to the longest criminal trial in United States history. A battle for truth – in psychiatry, law enforcement, mass media and popular culture – proves elusive.