Theres a great deal of suspense and a sense of creepy tension. In the end, then, Tyler does what needs to be done and shields his family from the disquieting truth. SPOILERS AHEAD. The Clovehitch Killer - Ending Explained# Later in the scenes, we witness that Tyler has befriended a teenage outcast from his age group whose name is Kassi. A picture-perfect family is shattered when the work of a serial killer hits too close to home. But in due time, we come to realize that Lucky is the name of Dons alter ego. Press J to jump to the feed. They find a blueprint of what looks like a dungeon, and Tyler follows the blueprint to break into the crawlspace of their residence. It is set in Kentucky and tells a chilling and disturbing tale of a serial killer. Everything to Know About Dennis Rader, the BTK Killer, Let's Examine the True Story Behind 'The Conjuring: The Devil Made Me Do It', Wyn Reed Starred in a Horror Film When She Was Out on Bail for Murder. Now 76, Rader is serving 10 life sentences at Kansas at El Dorado Correctional Facility, according to The Wichita Eagle. 16 year-old Tyler Burnside lives with his devout Christian family in the small remote town of Clarksville, Kentucky. They mention this in the movie: she never saw his face and no one said . ", "The 50 Best Serial Killer Movies of All Time", "Stephen King Recommends "Unbearably Suspenseful" Hidden Gem on Netflix", https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=The_Clovehitch_Killer&oldid=1150057185, This page was last edited on 16 April 2023, at 03:06. I feel like the girl who was with him would not be okay with letting the killer stay uncaught. Home alone, he photographs himself dressed as a woman in bondage positions, but angrily throws the photos away later. But when Tyler confronts Don about these findings, his father simply blames it on his uncle Rudy and says that he saved the evidence to hand it over to the families of the victims. Just as his teenage dreams are about to come true, she finds a crumpled-up photo under the seat of a woman in bondage. The fable has manifold significance in the context of the narrative. . Tomatometer. No spoilers. A fresh take on the serial killer film. The Clovehitch Killer is a 2018 American coming-of-age[1] thriller film directed by Duncan Skiles and written by Christopher Ford. 79%. Its actually a girl he goes to see who finds the photograph. Then the whole thing of not telling anyone and then murdering the father in the woods felt contrived, sadistic and out of character. But the cops showing up at the end would have been what every other film like this would have done, other than the kids possibly getting killed and the dad surviving. But Im biased since I am have a fascination with serial killers and love the actors in it being both a fan of AHS and Lean on Pete. Here is one possible interpretation of the film's ending: After Tyler discovers evidence that suggests his father may be the Clovehitch Killer, he confronts him about it. Wouldnt the families want peace and justice? And then The Clovehitch Killer really goes off the rails. The Clovehitch Killer, an amazingly crafted film that came out a few years ago, is still the heart of fans. Although, Tyler does not have any bullets inside of it. The next scene picks up with Tylers family after his father has been declared missing. His fathers body is discovered, and his death is thought to be a suicide. I love drama and shows and that's what I write about at Otakukart. This is still completely worth a watch. So, dad is into kinky sex? Courtesy of LA Film Festival. You dont always have to reinvent the genre wheel to make a great film. The film received mixed reviews upon its release. Someone would have seen the work truck there the day before who knows. It doesn't make any goddamn sense.". Even though I wanted Tyler to turn his father in and not let the murders go unsolved, at least he would be able to move on eventually. I hope this isn't a spoiler. One day, Tyler investigates it, finding photographs of some of the murdered Clovehitch Killer victims. Kassi's decision to take part in the murder brought her justice, but that still leaves the Clovehitch Killer's other victims without any kind of closure. Tyler killed his father, and the town never learns the real identity of the Clovehitch Killer. You may not immediately recognize Dylan McDermott in "The Clovehitch Killer." You can also watchThe Clovehitch Killer with an IFC Films or AMC+ Amazon Prime Video add-on, or rent the film on Amazon, Google Play, YouTube, Vudu, or Apple TV+. the dad either killed that lady, or hurt her enough that she would definitely need to go to a hospital. And the fact is that as good as Plummer and McDermott are here, Ford ultimately writes himself into a corner that requires actions in the final act that dont ring true. Finally, Madisen Beaty, who haunted me in her brief role in The Master, is damn great here, and given a lot to work with. Hey look, it's new thing. He's obviously lying about the uncle. The film follows 16 year-old Tyler Burnside and his devout Christian family who live in a rural town in Kentucky. It's also a deep dive into the mind of a deranged killer and what it might feel like to be one. Is 'Drunk, Driving, and 17' on Lifetime Based on a True Story? Featuring Dylan McDermott ('The Practice'), Charlie Plummer ('Boardwalk Empire'), and Madisen Beaty ('The Curious Case of Benjamin Button') in pivotal roles, the drama unfolds a mystery of [] This is when Tyler gets the idea of what if his father has some or the other connection to this mysterious The Clovehitch Killer. Don takes the gun, tells Tyler he's disappointed in him, and shoots Tyler, proving that he truly is a psychopath and will do anything to preserve his freedom. Don, now suspicious of Tyler's behavior, takes him camping. This killer has mysteriously disappeared 10 years ago. But soon enough, Tyler seems to find his father suspicious when he finds a few pictures of bondage in his fathers truck. His father stays surprisingly calm. Rader terrorized Wichita from 1974 to 1991 while enjoying a reputation as a Boy Scout leader, family man, and vice president of his church congregation. Don successfully makes Tyler doubt himself by asking him what will happen to his mother and little sister if he makes the wrong choice. Read More:Where Was The Clovehitch Killer Filmed? Tyler's decision leaves the audience wondering what was best. . The two scuffle, and Don tries to strangle Tyler until Kassi awakens and knocks Don unconscious. In that small town, everyone would have known it was him or at the very least he would have been questioned. But by the end of the first hour I was holding my breath, and the way the film structures the storytelling and plays out its twists and turns is exceptionally well done. Don is the leader of his scout troop as well as his dictatorial father, who can divert Tylers course of thought and action with just a few spoken words. When word of the photo spreads among the other teenagers in Tyler's church and scout troop, they ostracize him, believing him to be a BDSM fetishist. Don smashes the head of Kassi onto a wall, takes the gun from Tyler, and goes on to shoot him. Afterward, while giving the eulogy, Tyler grieves his fathers death, and we see a body being dragged through the ground. They then sit him on a chair as Tyler points a gun at Dons injured head. Helmed by Duncan Skiles, The Clovehitch Killer is a slow-burning and suspenseful thriller that attempts to unveil the sickening aberrations of the warped mind of a serial killer. In a small community like the one in which Tyler (Charlie Plummer, so great in Lean on Pete) lives with his family, a maniac that violently prolific doesnt get forgotten and there are still vigils and people in town consumed with figuring out the identity of the madman who may still live in their midst. Its simply a film with familiar tropes but told exceedingly well in its structure, performances, character development, etc that it still remains suspenseful and surprising. Don catches the wind of something suspicious going on with Tyler. But rather than going into minute details about . Press question mark to learn the rest of the keyboard shortcuts. Tyler cant bring himself to believe it, and Skiles plays with our own questions about his guilt or innocence for a while. 402, This story has been shared 375 times. On Disney+, A Brazilian Romantic Comedy About A Man Whose Life Ambitions Change After Meeting A Fascinating Singer, Stream It or Skip It: 'The Professional Bridesmaid' on Hallmark Casts Hunter King as a Bridal Party Problem Solver, Rye Lane Set Out To Uplift the Diverse, Working-Class Community of South London Not Gentrify It, Stream It Or Skip It: 'Louis C.K. Offers may be subject to change without notice. Don says he kept the evidence in hopes of one day giving it to the victims' families. For a couple of years there's going to be trials, news coverage, journalists, authors, tabloids, everyone and anyone will invade their privacy and their lives will be examined like no-one else's. The 2018 horror movie follows the Burnsides, a seemingly ordinary Kentucky family living in a small town . "I'm Out, Motherf*cker!" Thanks. . The Clovehitch Killer thrives during the scenes of suspense, but eventually the truth has to land on one side or the other, and when the action ramps up, the film becomes a bit more familiar, but . However, Tyler appears in the house with a rifle, and it is revealed through a flashback that Tyler never left for camp, but was secretly watching Don with Kassi. Required fields are marked *. Good climax, though a bit predictable with the whole scene where the confrontation occurs. Don is an overarching figure in the life of Tyler. The performances here are strong, too, with Plummer deftly selling the internal turmoil that would accompany horrific suspicions against a loved one and McDermott allowing potential darkness to seep through early, making the tension believable. It was so unnecessary. I'm not sure if he had anything to do with it, but I wouldn't put it past him. The film opens with a grieving ceremony in the small township of Clarksville, Kentucky. Tyler aims a shotgun at his father, but his father convinces him to give up the gun. Or was he right to believe that ignorance is bliss? The ending of Clovehitch Killer ending is meant to be ambiguous, but we can ultimately assume Don is dead. Remember what the killer said earlier in the film - if the town found out it was his brother it would have destroyed their family. Really a bit disturbing at the end. All the evidence discovered in the course of the film the blueprint, the polaroid photos, and the BDSM dungeon in the crawl space lead the audience to the realization that Don is the notorious Clovehitch Killer. He claims he kept the evidence in hopes of giving it to the victims families one day. What would you do if you found out one of your parents was responsible for a gruesome unsolved crime? While The Clovehitch Killer will often leave you feeling uncomfortable and helpless, . Later in the scenes, we witness that Tyler has befriended a teenage outcast from his age group whose name is Kassi. Featuring Dylan McDermott (The Practice), Charlie Plummer (Boardwalk Empire), and Madisen Beaty (The Curious Case of Benjamin Button) in pivotal roles, the drama unfolds a mystery of unimaginable intrigue. Afterward, Tyker befriends Kassi, an outcast teenager and an amateur Clovehitch historian. He's not only left living in the shadow of his father's sins. B) Clovehitch didn't pull the trigger in the end.. For them to rule it a suicide, they surely would have checked for GSR right? At first, the creators have even built up the thrill for us by creating a mystery about this killer but soon enough, they start to point every possibility at Don. Clovehitch is a serial killer film that banks on the horrors of family truths revealed, a teenage kid's idyll shattered, and the protracted meltdown of a small town's soul. SYNOPSIS: A picture . I wouldn't be surprised if other serial killers have been 'caught' by their families and never said a word. Unsubscribe at any time. 2. It has a slow-burning atmosphere that gradually builds. The spooky movie is sure to haunt you hours after those end credits, and youre likely wondering just how real The Clovehitch Killerstory is. At times extremely effective, deeply disturbing & uncomfortable to watch, The Clovehitch Killer is a relatively satisfying & well made film that's worth a watch - but it's also a classic example of a movie that doesn't know when to end - dragging out the resolution until you're willing the credits to start rolling; every scene feels like it's setting up the conclusion until it's followed by . These are not as psychological as Shutter Island Or Mindhunter, but I believe that any serial killer based story do have more psychological element than the bit funny ones like (Only Murders in the Building) or traditional whodunit ones (less investigate and more . Its pretty safe to say that Don is dead after Tyler inevitably shoots him. I liked the movie. The Clovehitch Killer - Ending Explained. Decent consolation prize? Without spoiling much, Tyler finds something that looks really bad and the note I took was simply, Cops would be called. He certainly wouldnt then go on a camping trip alone with dad. I was expecting him to shoot himself in the head like he said in his made up story where his brother tried to kill himself in the car accident. The film stars Dylan McDermott, Charlie Plummer, Samantha Mathis, and Madisen Beaty. Tyler takes Kassi to meet his parents and divulges his suspicion at an opportune moment on their way back. The son, previously beleiving it could have been his uncle, would effectively have no choice but to eliminate this theory once news of the murder took place. The ending of The Clovehitch Killer differs from the BTK killer's ending. And then Skiles and his writer Christopher Ford start forcing Tyler and Kassi into situations that simply arent believable. Later, Don has been declared missing. It . 453, This story has been shared 446 times. Tyler and his friend Kassi slowly come to believe that Tylers straight-and-narrow father is actually the killer. Megan Brooks and Andrew Hasse serve as editors. Especially since he killed her mom? He becomes convinced his dad is the serial killer. The film's screenwriter Christopher Ford says that Don is based on the BTK Killer in a 2019 interview. The "American Horror Story" actor sports an impressively aged look, a 'stache, and a total dad bod for the role. I'm not sure if they said her age but I think it's around 10. Heres When It Returns, Sunny Hostin Suggests First Lady Jill Biden Has "Racial Blindspots" and "Unconscious Bias" on 'The View', 'Yellowjackets' Season 2 Episode 4 Recap: The Hunger Game, New Movies & Shows To Watch This Weekend: 'Barry' Season 4 on HBO + More, Melanie Lynskey Claims 'Win Win' Director Cut Scenes Because She Had "Too Much Chemistry" With Paul Giamatti, 'Yellowjackets' Season 2 Episode 3 Recap: Play Misty for Me, 'Mandalorian' Actor Warns Season 3 Finale May "Hurt Too Much". 8+ Horror Movies with Alternate Endings: Which Ending is Best? Create an account to follow your favorite communities and start taking part in conversations. Like he found out it was him and was gonna go to the police. Later on, Tyler comes across a bondage photograph in his fathers truck. Now, the two find out more about a BDSM dungeon according to a . In IFC's new offering The Clovehitch Killer, director Duncan Skiles and writer Christopher Ford dissect it with chilling . It stars Dylan McDermott, Charlie Plummer, Samantha Mathis, and Madisen Beaty. 3' Now On Sale. 31 reviews. The characters make extremely stupid and unbelievable decisions. . Dons manipulation seemingly confuses Tyler, and he lowers the gun. Chrissy is the co-founder of Creepy Catalog. family_home. Imagine yourself in a position where one day, you find out that the father who reared you with gentleness and care is a serial killer. Kassi is initially skeptical, but they link the photograph to a known Clovehitch victim, find blueprints to a BDSM dungeon in the shed, and when Tyler explores his house's crawl space, he finds a box containing the drivers licenses of the known Clovehitch victims and three other women, as well as more polaroid photographs of beaten and bound women. But naturally no one would listen to her as she was the town pariah. Don then turns the gun on Tyler and pulls the trigger on his own son, proving he doesn't care a whit for family. The daughter - this is why I think the boy didn't want to turn his dad in. The fact that Mindhunter got cancelled before covering the BTK Killer they had been building up for 2 seasons got me like: pic.twitter.com/L9DOdvOajQ. His towns history is marred by a sadistic murderer, the Clovehitch Killer, who hasnt struck in over a decade. He stalks one woman and eventually breaks into her house and begins to kill her. The knot was tied, indicating it was clovehitch. People believe he is in jail or dead. And there you have it! Tyler breaks into Dons shed and finds a Polaroid photo of a bound and incarcerated woman named Nora from a box hidden underneath the floor. It's another thing. A few years later now she's a teenager, the girl who's Dad was a serial killer and killed people her peers know. Summaries. So if you're a true crime/serial killer junkie, or just looking for a top notch mystery/thriller, don't let this one slip you by. 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