Cullen Hoback sets out to demystify the origins of QAnon, understand its mechanics, and search for clues that could identify Q. Traveling from the U.S. to South Africa, he gains unprecedented access to its earliest promoters, who reveal a suspicious shift in Q's behavior.
Cullen travels to Manila where he meets the secretive team behind 8chan, the site where Q posts. After looking into Fred Brennan's motives for starting the site, the investigation turns to Jim and Ron Watkins, the reclusive father/son duo who own and operate 8chan. Back in the U.S., prominent QAnons get booted from a far-right conference.
After QAnon supporters hope for a 2018 midterm “Red Wave,” an anonymous insider gives Cullen a tip suggesting 8chan’s owners may have connections to President Trump’s inner circle. Meanwhile, a feud emerges between Fred and the Watkins, who have severed ties.
After a series of mass shootings, 8chan shuts down and Q goes dark. Jim is summoned to appear before Congress for a hearing on digital hate speech. Meanwhile, new clues suggest Trump’s former strategist Steve Bannon might be involved with Q. Fred’s attacks escalate, as the QArmy organizes in the real world.
As the rivalry between Fred and the Watkins intensifies, 8chan is relaunched as "8kun," where Q re-emerges after months being offline. Meanwhile, ex-military and political operatives aim to tap the power of Q. Back in Manila, Jim slaps Fred with a lawsuit, forcing him to plan a great escape.
With the world in lockdown from Covid-19, Q's wild theories draw in new followers and get amplified by major political figures all of which culminate in the siege at the U.S. Capitol. Reflecting on years of his collected evidence, Cullen draws conclusions on who is behind QAnon and its future impact.
