Dylan McDermott is absolutely chilling as a father with a secret.
TV + Movies

This Exceptional Serial Killer Thriller Is Streaming On Shudder Today (March 17)

"It's just monkey stuff."

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Back in November of 2018, an indie thriller by the name of The Clovehitch Killer was released in a limited number of theaters. It received positive reviews at the time, but it wasn’t until the movie first hit streaming in 2019 that it really began to take off. Word of mouth helped elevate The Clovehitch Killer into a trending sensation, and for good reason.

The Clovehitch Killer is about a teenage boy, Tyler (Charlie Plummer), and his search for the truth about his father. Tyler lives with his family in a small Kentucky town where a serial killer’s brutal acts are still remembered. The killer, who called himself Clovehitch, murdered multiple victims before disappearing ten years ago. One night, Tyler finds a picture of a woman in bondage in his father’s truck. Investigating further, Tyler discovers evidence that points to the possibility that his father could be connected to the Clovehitch killings.

By focusing on the relationship between a father and son, The Clovehitch Killer builds tension impeccably. It’s a frightening and dramatic experience that can be described as part serial killer thriller, and part coming-of-age drama.

The film also skewers the idea of the “perfect” family. Tyler’s father Don (Dylan McDermott) is portrayed as a pillar of the community. He’s a scout leader, a church-goer, and a loving father. How could he possibly be a vicious serial killer? But then, isn’t it often the case that serial killers are described as “nice guys” by the people who know them?

Such was the case with the BTK killer, Dennis Rader. BTK was one of the main inspirations for Clovehitch. Though the movie is fictional and not meant as an adaptation of BTK’s story, the similarities are abundant. So, even though The Clovehitch Killer isn’t a true story, the fact that it is based so strongly in reality makes it even more chilling. The story didn’t happen in real life, but it could.

The Clovehitch Killer began streaming on Shudder and AMC+ on March 17th, 2025. If you haven’t seen it yet, there’s no better time than now.