Don't Kill It (2017) Plot Summary & Ending Explained

As Gabriel embarks on a hunting trip in the wilds of southern Mississippi, his loyal hound discovers a mysterious golden container, triggering a macabre sequence of events that will forever change their lives. This unforeseen find leads to a horrifying turn of events, including a savage attack by the beloved pet on Gabriel himself. In a moment of desperation, Gabriel is forced to take down his beloved dog, only to return home and fall prey to an otherworldly influence that transforms him into a cold-blooded killer. What was once a harmless man is turned into a ravenous beast, mercilessly taking the lives of his own family before being slain by his neighbor, Marcus.

However, this gruesome narrative is just the beginning. The demon’s dark influence continues to spread, drawing the attention of seasoned demon hunter Jebediah Woodley, who can smell the invisible evil lurking nearby. Simultaneously, FBI agent Evelyn Pierce, hailing from the cursed town, arrives to investigate the shocking murders, which she initially suspects to be the work of domestic terrorists.

Woodley's urgent warnings about the demonic wrath being unleashed on the community go unheard, as authorities dismiss him as delusional. But when Pierce questions witnesses, she uncovers a chilling detail: all of Gabriel's victims had their eyes turned black before succumbing to their own violent impulses. As the pieces fall into place, the horrifying realization dawns on her—the demon is indeed real, and it is possessing its victims.

With Woodley properly exonerated and freed from confinement, he collaborates with Pierce and local police chief Dunham to battle the insidious force. Woodley reveals that only by killing the possessed host while sacrificing one's own life can this ancient evil be defeated—a lesson he learned from his father, who once captured the demon at a young age but ended his own life to destroy the vessel.

Armed with this harrowing knowledge, the trio embarks on a perilous journey to confront ultimate horror. Their investigation leads them to a secluded cabin deep in the woods, where they mistakenly capture a drowsy vagabond who recounts a macabre tale of the demon. According to him, he had killed the demon with Glen, who then fled into the wilderness. This gruesome revelation sets Woodley and Pierce on a relentless pursuit of the malevolent entity.

As they chase down the demon through treacherous trails, they find themselves embroiled in an intense face-off. Instead of attacking, the demon taunts Pierce with prophetic visions of an apocalyptic future. Woodley's courage shines as he attempts to subdue the demon, but it excels in chaos, narrowly escaping.

Reflecting on her turbulent past, Pierce confesses to Woodley about her near-drowning in childhood and the superstitious scorn she faced upon her miraculous revival. Meanwhile, Dunham arranges a town hall meeting to alert residents of the looming threat, but their gathering is disrupted when the demon suddenly appears, shocking the community with a bloodbath. It cunningly shifts from one host to another, instigating terror before dashing to a nearby home, where it compels a young girl to murder her own family member.

In the center of this madness, Woodley clashes with Pastor Erikson, who accuses him and Pierce of being the true sources of evil. Tensions flare when Woodley punches Erikson, but he quickly reunites with Pierce to strategize a defense against the chaos. Emmett, whose daughter has become a pawn of the demon, pleads for help. Accompanying him home reveals a heart-wrenching scene: he has confined his daughter in a backroom. In a desperate measure, Woodley persuades Emmett to make the ultimate sacrifice to end the demon’s reign. Just as Emmett prepares to act, the FBI arrives, a covert operation set up by Pierce. They encounter a grisly scene, with Emmett grievously injured. Amid the chaos, the possessed girl turns on the agents, but one, Deacon Shepherd, manages to fatally wound the demon, sparking its retreat.

As Shepherd weakens and finally succumbs, the demon does not go quietly, finding a new host in Pierce. Now invigorated and more vengeful than ever, the demon provokes Woodley into delivering the final strike against it. With plans to sacrifice himself as his father had before him, Woodley’s mission teeters as Erikson arrives, branding him as the devil in front of an enraged mob. The situation descends into chaos as Erikson assaults Woodley, releasing Shepherd, who goes on a rage of slaughter.

In a stunning climax, Erikson kills Shepherd but becomes the demon's next victim. Ultimately, as hope seems bleak, Pierce—now a vessel for the demon—grabs a vest of grenades from the lifeless body of an FBI agent, pulling the pin and triggering a catastrophic explosion that destroys both the demon and herself.

In the aftermath of this calamity, Woodley is seen adrift on open waters, wrestling with his thoughts. He contains the remnants of the demon within a flask, summoning the courage to release it into the sea, only to watch as a great white shark consumes the cursed contents, suggesting that the cycle of terror and chaos is far from over.

In the ending of “Don’t Kill Me,” Mirta discovers that Robin, who appeared to have died and was buried, is actually still alive and turned into an Overdead—a reanimated entity that is part of a secret sect called the Benandanti. Robin had orchestrated everything from the start, killing Mirta’s friends and even her father, all with the intention of ultimately being with her forever. He knew that once she was resurrected, they could be together eternally. Mirta, devastated by this revelation, refuses to accept a future with Robin, especially knowing his true motives. In a fierce act of defiance, she kills several members of the Benandanti and electrocutes Robin, who tries to stop her. Her escape is aided by Sara, a woman part of the same sect, who instructs her on how to survive in this new world where she must learn to conceal herself and choose her victims carefully. The film ends with Mirta moving to a different city, ready to begin a new life, no longer trusting Robin or the sinister forces that seek to control her. The ending leaves her at a crossroads—free but wounded, with her future uncertain, but determined to forge her own path away from death and deception.