Initiation

Initiation

Year: 2021

Runtime: 96 min

Language: English

Director: John Berardo

Echo Score: 47
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.

Warning: spoilers below!

Haven’t seen Initiation yet? This summary contains major spoilers. Bookmark the page, watch the movie, and come back for the full breakdown. If you're ready, scroll on and relive the story!

Timeline – Initiation (2021)

Trace every key event in Initiation (2021) with our detailed, chronological timeline. Perfect for unpacking nonlinear stories, spotting hidden connections, and understanding how each scene builds toward the film’s climax. Whether you're revisiting or decoding for the first time, this timeline gives you the full picture.

1

Kylie's Unconscious State

During a homecoming party, sorority member Kylie is found unconscious in a room with three members of Sigma Nu Pi: Beau, Dylan, and Wes. This alarming situation sets off a chain of events that will lead to tragic consequences.

Homecoming Party
2

Social Media Mockery

The next morning, Kylie's situation becomes the subject of cruel mockery on social media. This public humiliation adds pressure on her as she grapples with what happened during the party.

3

Seeking Help

Kylie reaches out to fellow sorority member Shayleen for support. Shayleen then approaches Ellery, another sorority sister, and they agree to get to the bottom of what happened to Kylie.

4

Investigation Begins

Ellery takes on the investigation into Kylie's incident, especially since Wes, a suspect, is her brother. She is determined to uncover the truth in light of Wes's troubling past with accusations of sexual assault.

5

Wes's Murder

Wes is discovered dead by Dylan and Beau, shocking the vicinity. His untimely death raises more questions and complicates matters for those involved, especially his sister Ellery.

6

Chancellor's Eulogy

In a surprising turn, the university chancellor, Van Horn, praises Wes's abilities in swimming during a public address. This moment demonstrates the institution's attempt to sanitize Wes's legacy after his murder.

University
7

Investigation by Police

Detective Sandra Fitzgerald and Officer Rico Martinez begin investigating Wes's murder. They uncover that many of the crimes, including a previous sexual assault case involving Wes, were covered up by the university administration.

8

More Murders Occur

As the investigation proceeds, Dylan and Beau also become victims of the unknown assailant. Their murders create an atmosphere of fear at the university and among the sorority members.

9

Confrontation with Van Horn

Ellery confronts Chancellor Van Horn over her investigation. Van Horn's anger suggests he has more to hide than just administrative errors regarding Wes's past.

University Office
10

Van Horn's Murder

After Ellery leaves the meeting, Van Horn is ambushed and murdered in his office by the assailant. This event illustrates the depths of corruption and violence present in the narrative.

University Office
11

Ellery and Kylie's Chase

Later, Ellery reunites with Kylie. They witness Van Horn's murder and are then pursued by the assailant, which puts their lives at risk and escalates the tension.

12

Final Confrontation

In the climax of the film, Ellery and Kylie manage to confront the murderer. The suspenseful chase ends with them successfully stabbing the killer, revealed to be Martinez.

13

Murderer's Motive Revealed

Martinez, Kylie's father, confesses to his crimes, motivated by the fraternity's history of sexual assaults and the university's cover-ups. This shocking revelation ties together the narrative's themes of justice and retribution.

14

Aftermath

In the aftermath of the murders, the university community is left in shock. The events raise awareness about the importance of addressing sexual assault and the failure of institutions to protect their students.

University

Last Updated: May 12, 2025 at 07:03

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Explore Movie Threads

Discover curated groups of movies connected by mood, themes, and story style. Browse collections built around emotion, atmosphere, and narrative focus to easily find films that match what you feel like watching right now.

Slasher whodunit with social media panic like in Initiation

Modern thrillers where cryptic online clues reveal a killer among friends.For viewers who liked the modern terror of Initiation, this thread finds similar movies where a killer uses social media to taunt victims and spread fear. If you enjoy thrillers and horror films that mix classic mystery with contemporary digital dread, these stories of online clues and campus secrets will deliver a similarly tense and paranoid experience.

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Narrative Summary

Stories typically begin with a brutal murder that shatters a seemingly tight-knit community, often in a closed setting like a campus. The investigation is complicated by a flood of cryptic online posts from an anonymous source, turning friends into suspects. The narrative relies on red herrings and a race against time to unmask the killer before they strike again, often revealing a motive rooted in past betrayal or trauma.

Why These Movies?

These movies are grouped together because they share a very specific modern vibe: the fear of being hunted both physically and digitally. They combine the fast-paced, high-intensity thrills of a slasher with the psychological tension of a whodunit, all amplified by the relatable horror of social media manipulation and public shaming.

Thrillers about institutional cover-ups like in Initiation

Thrillers where a safe facade cracks to reveal a hidden rot.If you were gripped by the theme of university secrets in Initiation, this thread finds movies with a similar pattern. These are tense, often heavy dramas and thrillers where a peaceful institution hides a terrible truth. Fans of stories about corruption, survival, and the explosive moment when secrets are revealed will find more movies like Initiation here.

oppressivesuspensefulclaustrophobicdisturbingcorruptionbetrayalinvestigation

Narrative Summary

The narrative pattern involves a protagonist uncovering a truth that powerful figures want to keep hidden. The institution uses its resources and reputation to discredit threats and maintain control, creating a claustrophobic atmosphere where the protagonist can trust no one. The climax often involves a public or violent confrontation that shatters the institution's carefully constructed image, leading to a mixed or bleak resolution.

Why These Movies?

Movies in this thread share a heavy emotional weight and a tense, oppressive tone. They are united by the central theme of a systemic cover-up, which generates a specific kind of suspense: not just fear of a killer, but fear of a corrupt system willing to sacrifice individuals to protect itself. This creates a deep sense of paranoia and betrayal.

Unlock the Full Story of Initiation

Don't stop at just watching — explore Initiation in full detail. From the complete plot summary and scene-by-scene timeline to character breakdowns, thematic analysis, and a deep dive into the ending — every page helps you truly understand what Initiation is all about. Plus, discover what's next after the movie.

Initiation Summary

Read a complete plot summary of Initiation, including all key story points, character arcs, and turning points. This in-depth recap is ideal for understanding the narrative structure or reviewing what happened in the movie.

Initiation Summary

Characters, Settings & Themes in Initiation

Discover the characters, locations, and core themes that shape Initiation. Get insights into symbolic elements, setting significance, and deeper narrative meaning — ideal for thematic analysis and movie breakdowns.

Characters, Settings & Themes in Initiation

Initiation Spoiler-Free Summary

Get a quick, spoiler-free overview of Initiation that covers the main plot points and key details without revealing any major twists or spoilers. Perfect for those who want to know what to expect before diving in.

Initiation Spoiler-Free Summary

More About Initiation

Visit What's After the Movie to explore more about Initiation: box office results, cast and crew info, production details, post-credit scenes, and external links — all in one place for movie fans and researchers.

More About Initiation

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Discover movies like Initiation that share similar genres, themes, and storytelling elements. Whether you’re drawn to the atmosphere, character arcs, or plot structure, these curated recommendations will help you explore more films you’ll love.