The Clovehitch Killer (2018)

Directed by: Duncan Skiles | 110 minutes | crime, drama | Actors: Dylan McDermott, Charlie Plummer, Samantha Mathis, Madisen Beaty, Brenna Sherman, Lance Chantiles-Wertz, Emma Jones, Jonathan K. Riggs, Kat Pérez, Janet Scott, Mark A. Nash, Stan Simonov, Michael Urriquia, Mike Cortese

Sixteen-year-old Tyler Burnside lives in devout Clarksville, Kentucky, a sleepy yet haunted town that is haunted by the memory of the Clovehitch Killer, a notorious serial killer who tortured, strangled and murdered ten women before disappearing from the radar. The perpetrator was never caught and has not been heard from for ten years. Tyler’s life is turned upside down in an instant when he borrows his father’s truck for a date. His date finds a bondage image between the chairs. Tyler is soon turned down by the other teens in his scout troop and seen as a pervert. In turn, Tyler increasingly wonders if his father Don, a loyal family man and inspired community leader, may have something to do with the Clovehitch murders.

Movies about serial killers come in all shapes and sizes. They can be fictional or true and take the form of brutal slashers or more psychologically tinged character studies. ‘The Clovehitch Killer’ is mainly a film of the latter type and shows that behind the cheerful facade of a close family life and a good dose of community spirit, sometimes extremely dark practices are hidden. And it is precisely this fact that makes the story told terrifying and disturbing. We sympathize and tremble with main character Tyler, especially when he seems to find more and more evidence for the split personality of his father Don, a man who is actually Tyler’s great example in every way. Don is an active Christian, a good conversationalist for his wife and children, and a pillar of support for his family, the church and the local Scouting club. But Tyler also finds photos and items that suggest his father has a completely different, pitch-dark side.

Director Duncan Skiles keeps the film exciting by cleverly casting doubt on Don’s true identity. Is he really the exemplary father everyone sees in him or a vicious lust killer who effortlessly hides his true nature from his own family and the community of which he is a part? At first it seems that the answer to that question is given (too) early, but ‘The Clovehitch Killer’ still manages to mislead you a few times. By sowing doubt, the psychological tension is steadily but effectively increased. As a result, gory intermezzos or shock effects can easily be omitted without the film losing much of tension or sharpness.

The film also occasionally abandons the traditional chronological story format, mainly in order to shed light on certain events from a different perspective. Thanks to this ingenious move, Skiles also manages to bring his sober, atmospheric narration to a rather satisfying emotional end. Dylan McDermott puts on a formidable performance with his portrayal of Don, while the rest of the cast does a solid job as well. A small minus is that the quest of Tyler and his companion Kassi, a girl who has been interested in the case of the Clovehitch murderer for some time and gradually grows towards Tyler, sometimes has a somewhat high teenage mystery level.
Still, ‘The Clovehitch Killer’ is an interesting, thoughtful and exciting film across the board. The print combines a good plot with strong acting and offers an interesting glimpse into the disturbing and dualistic caverns of the human psyche.