Sixteen international contestants are dropped by helicopter into an unpopulated Siberian wilderness. With only the clothes on their backs, they must try to survive with no help from producers or the outside world to win a big cash prize. They are soon faced with frightening events and unexpected situations that go horribly awry.

A shocking announcement comes with the loss of another contestant, while those who remain are dealing with deception and drama, including accusations of theft, the discovery of a bloody scene in the woods and arguments over food rationing. Elsewhere, Victoria suffers a frightening hallucination after being tricked by Esther into eating uncooked mushrooms.