Welcome to Knockout Horror. Today we are taking a look at crime based mystery movie The Clovehitch Killer. Now, we can get into a debate here about whether this qualifies as horror. In truth, it probably doesn’t, it’s really more of a thriller than anything. But it’s hard not to feel the similarities between this and a few small town America horror movies. Super Dark Times and I Am Not a Serial Killer both jump to mind. I loved this movie when I first watched it but had one enormous issue with it. Would that issue still be there on a rewatch? The answer is a resounding yes.
Small Town America Crime Drama
The Clovehitch Killer follows the story of 16 year old boy Tyler. Living in a town that has been haunted by a serial killer. Tyler’s time is divided between friends, school, scouts and family time. Raised by devoutly religious parents, Tyler frequents church and lives a fairly strict life. When borrowing his dad’s truck to take a girl out on a date. He finds a picture of a naked woman restrained and gagged. Not knowing where it has come from, Tyler begins to investigate. Leading him to find disturbing secrets buried in his family’s past.
Acting as part crime drama and part coming of age story. This is a movie with two distinct approaches that both work really well. Tyler is a likeable protagonist. Avoiding the more annoying traits of similar aged characters in other movies. He is a quiet boy with little of the rebellion found in more typical characters of this type. Seeing him struggle with girls and conflicted thoughts about his family is familiar but it all plays out in an captivating way and keeps you engaged. The real meat on the bones of The Clovehitch Killer, however, is in its crime drama.
Tyler and his friend Kassi are determined to find out the identity of the Clovehitch Killer. They investigate evidence, creep into people’s sheds, and follow people around. It’s pretty tense stuff but always engaging. Scenes featuring the pair skulking around in the darkness are effortlessly effective. Almost not having to even try to provoke feelings of unease in the viewer. In fact, I would go as far as to say that director Duncan Skiles doesn’t realise how effective it can be. Certain moments of legitimate toe curling tension are never really paid off on. The balance of investigation and familial drama is perfect.
An Engaging Story
When The Clovehitch Killer is entertaining you with its crime elements. It is absolutely at its best. In creating an atmosphere of tension and dread. It is slow paced and never resorts to action to push the plot along, instead being content to weave a tapestry of small town horror. Where every crawl space feels too small and every room lacks an exit. It is brilliant stuff and something many horror movies would kill to achieve. Even when the horror elements are pushed to one side, this is an easy movie to enjoy.
The balance between the crime element and the drama element bears the hallmarks of a ton of research. This is an utterly believable story based on genuine serial killer history, BTK for example. The religious setting adds a multi-layered element of commentary on the societal issues that allow serial killers to exist and thrive while also remaining true to some of the movie’s clear inspirations.
There is an absolute ton to praise, here, and it is utterly enthralling. Sure, it spills its guts a little at the midway point which detracts from some of what made the earlier parts of the movie so good. But it is still enjoyable. Unfortunately, however, The Clovehitch Killer can not stick the landing and that is what really stuck with me about this movie.
An Awful EndingÂ
This is one of the most disappointing endings I have seen in a horror for a long time. I thought this the first time that I watched it and again the second time. I think it was worse the second time as I was enjoying the movie so much. It is very apparent, here, that writer Christopher Ford had backed himself into a corner. Perhaps wanting to compensate for some of the movie’s predictability, the ending represents a full court Hail Mary right at the buzzer. A hail Mary that, unfortunately, lands somewhere in the concession stands rather than the hoop.
The events of the last 30 minutes, or so, are extremely predictable and packed with so much exposition that it feels, almost, like a completely different film. Worse than that, the characters act in a manner that is entirely unbelievable and ridiculous. This ending makes zero sense and is so unlikely that it is eye rolling. What a disappointment.
Just like a gymnast’s routine is ruined if they can’t plant their feet. The Clovehitch Killer doesn’t stick the landing. In fact, it lands with a compound fracture to both legs and a suspicious brown stain on its leotard. This is an ending that will frustrate the majority of viewers. It is unrealistic, unbelievable and, at its worse, utterly farcical and, yes, deserving of dropping the movie a point or so.
Fantastic Acting and Cinematography
Acting is fantastic throughout. Charlie Plummer, as Tyler, is great. He has a tendency to pull the same face repeatedly but its not a huge problem here. When he needs to emote, he can, and its a believable performance. Madisen Beaty is great fun as Kassi. Doing a fantastic job of portraying a tough outsider with an interesting past. She brings a lot of attitude to the film and has brilliant comedy timing. Her facial expressions are excellent, especially when Kassi is full of mischief.
The standout actor here is Dylan McDermott as Don. He puts on an amazing performance, perfectly bringing to life the Ned Flanders-esque religious family man. He delivers on the cheesiness perfectly, almost making you cringe at numerous points, as you would expect. He’s a ton of fun and, evidently, completely understood the character. McDermott really helps the viewer buy into the way Tyler regards him making the character feel real.
Cinematography is fantastic. I would have preferred to see a 1.66:1 aspect ratio here. There is something of a retro feel, despite the modern setting. I feel like the 1.66:1 ratio would have worked well, especially given the location. The 1.78:1 ratio used is a fantastic second option, though. Shots look gorgeous doing a brilliant job capturing the tall trees as well as tight indoor shots. Lighting is used well to build tension and the scenery is fantastic. It’s a very nice looking production. Direction is fine, pacing is decent though the last thirty minutes slip up massively. I could have lived without the bait and switch flashback scenes, as well.
 Should You Watch The Clovehitch Killer?
This could have been one of my favourite movies of all time if it just could have stuck the landing. Featuring elements that will feel very familiar to fans of true crime. It does a brilliant job of bringing to life the story of a town haunted by a serial killer and a family that may have more of a connection to the crimes than they realise. It is engaging, throughout, and features an interesting coming of age style plot and likeable characters. There are some genuinely tense moments and the story is thoroughly unsettling. The ending is just so bad, however, that it undermines much of what comes ahead of it. Still totally worth a watch but just a bit of a disappointment due to the potential.
