The Clovehitch Killer Ending Explained: Was Don Really the Serial Killer?

The Clovehitch Killer is a psychological crime thriller that slowly transforms from a coming-of-age story into a chilling serial killer mystery. Directed by Duncan Skiles, the 2018 film stars Charlie Plummer as Tyler Burnside, a teenager whose seemingly perfect family begins to unravel after he suspects that his father may be connected to a series of unsolved murders. Dylan McDermott delivers a haunting performance as Don Burnside, a respected family man whose calm demeanor hides increasingly disturbing secrets.

Rather than relying on graphic violence, the film builds suspense through subtle clues, uncomfortable family interactions, and Tyler’s growing fear that the person he trusts most could be a notorious murderer. Inspired in part by the real-life BTK Killer case, The Clovehitch Killer delivers a tense finale that confirms the horrifying truth while exploring the emotional cost of uncovering it. Here’s what the ending means and how the mystery is resolved.

Tyler Uncovers the Truth

As Tyler investigates alongside true crime enthusiast Kassi, the evidence against Don becomes increasingly difficult to ignore. Hidden photographs, trophies connected to missing women, and suspicious behavior convince Tyler that his father is almost certainly the infamous Clovehitch Killer, a serial murderer believed to have stopped killing years earlier. Despite Don’s attempts to appear as a devoted husband and respected community member, his carefully constructed façade begins to collapse.

The climax unfolds when Don kidnaps another victim, revealing that he has secretly resumed his crimes after years of remaining dormant. Tyler follows his father to a secluded location and arrives just in time to intervene before another murder can be completed. The confrontation confirms what Tyler had feared throughout the film: Don truly is the Clovehitch Killer, and the loving father he admired never really existed.

Dylan McDermott portrays Don Burnside, whose outwardly perfect image conceals a horrifying secret (Image via IFC Midnight)

A violent struggle follows as Tyler fights to save the victim and stop his father once and for all. During the confrontation, Don is ultimately killed, ending his reign of terror before he can claim another life. Tyler survives the encounter, but the emotional damage remains, as he must come to terms with the fact that his own father was responsible for years of horrific crimes.

The ending emphasizes one of the film’s central themes: evil can hide behind an ordinary appearance. Don successfully convinced his family and community that he was a model citizen, allowing him to escape suspicion for years. By exposing the truth, Tyler not only saves another victim but also ends the legacy of a serial killer whose greatest weapon was the illusion of normalcy. The film closes on a bittersweet note, suggesting that while justice has finally been served, Tyler’s understanding of family and trust has been permanently changed.