The Clovehitch Killer

Name: The Clovehitch Killer
Genre: Drama, Mystery, Thriller, Horror
Released: November 16, 2018
Duration: 109 min
Rating: 59
Cast: Brenna Sherman, Charlie Plummer, Dylan McDermott, Jones Emma, Lance Chantiles-Wertz

2018

METASCORE

Mixed or average reviews based on 11 Critic Reviews

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USER SCORE

Generally favorable reviews based on 37 Ratings

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6.4

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6.4	User Score Generally favorable reviews based on 37 Ratings

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The Clovehitch Killer

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Movie Details & Credits

IFC Midnight | Release Date: November 16, 2018 | NR

Starring: Brenna Sherman, Charlie Plummer, Dylan McDermott, Jones Emma, Lance Chantiles-Wertz, Lea Hutton Beasmore, Madisen Beaty, Mercedes Carter, Mike Cortese, Samantha Mathis, Sarah Cleveland

Summary: Tyler Burnside (Charlie Plummer) is a Boy Scout, a volunteer at his local church, and the dutiful son of an upstanding, community leader dad (Dylan McDermott). Only one thing troubles the quiet Kentucky town he lives in: the unsolved murders—in which ten women were brutally tortured and killed by a psychopath known as Clovehitch—that rockedTyler Burnside (Charlie Plummer) is a Boy Scout, a volunteer at his local church, and the dutiful son of an upstanding, community leader dad (Dylan McDermott). Only one thing troubles the quiet Kentucky town he lives in: the unsolved murders—in which ten women were brutally tortured and killed by a psychopath known as Clovehitch—that rocked the community more than a decade ago. When Tyler discovers a cache of disturbing images in his father’s possession, he begins to suspect that the man he trusts most in the world may be Clovehitch—and that his deadly rampage may not be over. [IFC Midnight]… Expand

Director: Duncan Skiles

Genre(s): Drama, Mystery, Thriller, Horror

Rating: NR

Runtime: 109 min

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Critic Reviews

Lorry Kikta

Nov 8, 2018

The Clovehitch Killer is one of the best horror films to come out this year. It’s intelligent and subversive, and it captures the banality of small-town life perfectly. Read full review

Dana Schwartz

Nov 15, 2018

Unlike so many recent horror movies, The Clovehitch Killer is patient with its thrills, almost excruciatingly so. Read full review

Rosie Knight

Nov 11, 2018

The Clovehitch Killer is a truly scary and surprisingly thoughtful flick which transcends the trappings of its genre roots with sterling direction and a minimalistic approach to horror. Read full review

Dennis Harvey

Nov 15, 2018

This atypical serial-killer thriller distinguishes itself in resisting thrills — let alone any actual violence — till well past its halfway point, instead maximizing the quiet discomfort in a son’s rising suspicion that his outwardly Dagwood-type dad could be a notorious murderer. Read full review

Noel Murray

Nov 15, 2018

Skiles keeps the film’s pacing slow, which at times builds tension, at times makes everything feel more off-kilter, and at times is … well, just slow. Mostly the director and his superb cast use the extra time to explore the nuances of Ford’s tale of sick compulsions and social pressures. Read full review

RogerEbert.com Brian Tallerico

Nov 16, 2018

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 don’t ring true. Read full review

The Film Stage Jared Mobarak

Nov 15, 2018

It’s a shame because McDermott effectively toes the line between dorky and menacing (before the film explains which is real), Plummer is great playing with a loaded deck of anxieties and insecurities, and Beaty performs her role perfectly until the writing abandons what made her necessary. Read full review

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User Reviews

Crits

Nov 29, 2018

It looks simple. It does not exactly abide by the conventional rules of suspense. It lets the cat of the plot out of the bag early on. But, hey, it is a different kind of thriller with a psychological edge. The difference is, we know what happened, but we do not see what happened untilIt looks simple. It does not exactly abide by the conventional rules of suspense. It lets the cat of the plot out of the bag early on. But, hey, it is a different kind of thriller with a psychological edge. The difference is, we know what happened, but we do not see what happened until later, when the plot makes a loop back to the event by taking us backwards through time from a different point of view. And that is the suspense we get. The narrative is certainly not a cliche, and that's what makes it different.… Expand

0 of 2 users found this helpful02

Agustus_Rx

Sep 3, 2022

Be forewarned - this is more a coming of age type movie than it is a mystery/serial killer suspense flick. Looking at the movie in that context you’re able to forgive a lot of the clumsy and early give aways as to who the killer is.

It’s more a story about accepting what you cannot believeBe forewarned - this is more a coming of age type movie than it is a mystery/serial killer suspense flick. Looking at the movie in that context you’re able to forgive a lot of the clumsy and early give aways as to who the killer is.

It’s more a story about accepting what you cannot believe and taking on incredible responsibility.

This movie is awesome. Heartily recommend.… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

Delpiero23

Nov 26, 2018

Really good movie, one of the best for me this year. It´s a different kind of thriller and you should watch.

1 of 3 users found this helpful12

qbase

Mar 16, 2019

Το The Clovehitch Killer είναι μια απλή ταινία, βραδείας καύσεως, σε κάποια σημεία της οποίας εναλλάσσεται η οπτική γωνία του πρωταγωνιστικού προσώπου, αλλά πέρα από αυτό το τέχνασμα, αφηγείται μια απλή, λιτή ιστορία αναδεικνύοντάς την πέρα από κάθε προσδοκία σε ό,τι αφορά τα τεχνικά μέρη.Το The Clovehitch Killer είναι μια απλή ταινία, βραδείας καύσεως, σε κάποια σημεία της οποίας εναλλάσσεται η οπτική γωνία του πρωταγωνιστικού προσώπου, αλλά πέρα από αυτό το τέχνασμα, αφηγείται μια απλή, λιτή ιστορία αναδεικνύοντάς την πέρα από κάθε προσδοκία σε ό,τι αφορά τα τεχνικά μέρη.
Μια ιστορία, ικανή να σε ρουφήξει στον κόσμο της από τα πρώτα κιόλας πλάνα, σε σημείο που να ξεχάσεις τη λιτότητά της.
Το βασικό μειονέκτημα που εντόπισα, έχει να κάνει με το είδος της. Όταν λέμε «ψυχολογικό θρίλερ», περιμένουμε συνήθως να δούμε κάποιες σκηνές με σασπένς. Δεν υπάρχει όμως πολύ σασπένς στο συγκεκριμένο έργο.
Ωστόσο πρόκειται για μια άρτια δουλειά, πάνω σε μια ιδέα που δεν εντυπωσιάζει εκ πρώτης όψεως. Από αυτή την άποψη, πετυχαίνει τον στόχο της.… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

JoeCool

May 8, 2019

Not a bad movie, not a really good one either. The acting is passable, the story pretty standard even with the religious and romantic elements thrown into the mix. It all leads up to a somewhat improbable and at best mediocre ending though, and that's what's keeping it out of the green for me.

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

LegitSalt

May 3, 2019

This movie is basically Zodiac but with teen romance, more religion, and the good guys win. Also, just watch Zodiac, it's better. Aside from this, this serves as an interesting film, to a degree. It is obvious that the movie is trying to make some comments on the brainwashing of religion andThis movie is basically Zodiac but with teen romance, more religion, and the good guys win. Also, just watch Zodiac, it's better. Aside from this, this serves as an interesting film, to a degree. It is obvious that the movie is trying to make some comments on the brainwashing of religion and the tendencies for those to lead to the **** of children and women. However, this is done very mediocrely and could be cut without being a detriment to the quality of the movie.
The cinematography is fairly mediocre and forgettable. The acting is overplayed and cliche. Charlie Plummer, the lead from Lean on Pete, is passable in this and it certainly isn't his worst role. Nothing about the movie is all that offensive, but nothing is that unique or stand out. If you are thinking of watching this, be wary.… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

Mockedorange

Jun 21, 2019

Horrible ending, dumb ass kids, weird flashback, and dragged on movie way longer then necessary.

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

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