Initiation

Initiation

Year: 2021

Runtime: 96 min

Language: English

Director: John Berardo

MysteryThrillerHorrorCrime

During university pledge week, the joyous atmosphere turns to terror after a popular athlete is murdered. Cryptic social media clues begin to surface, revealing a network of hidden campus secrets. As students and law enforcement race to find answers, a recurring symbol, a single exclamation mark, suggests a sinister presence. The investigation uncovers a disturbing connection between the victim and the escalating events, forcing everyone to confront the dark underbelly of the university.

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Initiation (2021) – Full Plot Summary & Ending Explained

Read the complete plot breakdown of Initiation (2021), including all key story events, major twists, and the ending explained in detail. Discover what really happened—and what it all means.

During a lively homecoming party, sorority member Kylie, portrayed by Isabella Gomez, finds herself in a precarious situation when she is discovered unconscious and isolated in a room with three members of Sigma Nu Pi: Beau, played by [Gattlin Griffith](/actor/gattlin-gr Griffith), Dylan, portrayed by James Berardo, and Wes, acted by Froy Gutierrez. The following day, the fallout from this incident takes a harsh turn, as Kylie becomes the target of cruel and relentless mockery on social media. Distressed by the backlash, she seeks solace from her fellow sorority sister Shayleen, who subsequently approaches Ellery, another sister. Ellery, being Wes’s sibling, takes it upon herself to investigate the troubling circumstances surrounding her brother, particularly given his previous allegations of sexual assault.

As the plot thickens, tragedy strikes when Wes is fatally murdered by an unknown assailant. His lifeless body is discovered by Dylan and Beau, escalating the tension on campus. In the ensuing days, Chancellor Bruce Van Horn, portrayed by Lochlyn Munro, attempts to resurrect Wes’s reputation, focusing on his swimming talents and the potential that has now been lost forever. Concurrently, Detective Sandra Fitzgerald, played by Yancy Butler, and Officer Rico Martinez, depicted by Jon Huertas, embark on an investigation into Wes’s murder. Their inquiries reveal a shocking truth: the previous sexual assault allegations against Wes were hushed up by Chancellor Van Horn himself. The darkness deepens as Dylan and Beau also fall prey to the same mysterious murderer.

As tension escalates, Ellery confronts Van Horn, who is upset about her probing into the sensitive issue of sexual assault. Shortly after their interaction, the murderer corners Van Horn in his office, ultimately claiming his life. In a dramatic turn of events, Ellery reunites with Kylie, and the duo becomes entwined in peril as they witness the latest murder, triggering a harrowing chase that puts their lives on the line. The climax unfolds with a fierce struggle, where the women manage to stab their assailant, who is shockingly revealed to be Officer Martinez—the father of Kylie. His motives stemmed from a desperate need for vengeance, fueled by the discovery that the fraternity had been involved in similar heinous acts of violence, which the university scandalously covered up. The twisted web of betrayal and hidden truths culminates in a revelation that no one could have anticipated.

Last Updated: May 12, 2025 at 07:03

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Initiation Timeline

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Characters, Settings & Themes in Initiation

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Characters, Settings & Themes in Initiation

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