The Clovehitch Killer

The Clovehitch Killer

Year: 2018

Runtime: 109 min

Language: English

Director: Duncan Skiles

Echo Score: 70
DramaMysteryThrillerHorror

Tyler Burnside, a Boy Scout and church volunteer, leads a seemingly perfect life. However, his world is upended when he discovers unsettling photographs that suggest a dark secret connected to his father, a well-respected member of their Kentucky community. As Tyler investigates, he grapples with the possibility that his father might be the Clovehitch Killer, a serial killer who brought terror to the town over ten years prior, forcing him to question everything he thought he knew.

The Clovehitch Killer (2018) – Spoiler-Free Movie Summary & Plot Overview

Get a spoiler-free look at The Clovehitch Killer (2018) with a clear plot overview that covers the setting, main characters, and story premise—without revealing key twists or the ending. Perfect for deciding if this film is your next watch.

In the quiet, rolling hills of a Kentucky town, a sense of wholesome normalcy settles over churches, scout meetings, and close‑knit families. Beneath the bucolic veneer, however, whispers of a long‑ago terror still linger in conversations and on the backs of newspaper headlines, a reminder that even the most peaceful places can hide shadows. The atmosphere balances the gentle rhythm of community life with an undercurrent of unease, inviting anyone who looks a little too closely to wonder what might be concealed behind familiar smiles.

​Tyler Burnside is sixteen, dedicated to his Boy Scout troop and his church, and seemingly content with the steady path his small‑town upbringing has laid out for him. His father, ​Don Burnside, is the epitome of a respected pillar: a volunteer leader, a steady hand at home, and a man whose reputation feels as solid as the old porch swing outside their house. When Tyler stumbles upon a series of unsettling photographs that appear to echo the town’s dark legend, his world tilts, and the comfortable certainty of his family life begins to feel fragile.

Compelled by a mix of curiosity and dread, Tyler finds an unexpected ally in ​Kassi, a rebellious peer whose own fascination with the community’s haunted past fuels a shared quest for answers. Together they navigate the thin line between loyalty and suspicion, feeling the weight of history press against their teenage lives. As they probe the quiet corners of their town and family, the story unfolds with a slow‑burning tension, letting the audience experience the same breath‑held anticipation that Tyler feels while walking the familiar streets that now feel strangely foreign.

Last Updated: August 10, 2025 at 02:12

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Thrillers about family secrets like The Clovehitch Killer

Stories where the greatest threat is discovered within the family home.If you were captivated by the shocking discovery in The Clovehitch Killer, you'll find similar tension in these movies. This list features psychological thrillers and dramas where characters uncover dark secrets about a family member, leading to a tense and morally complex investigation that threatens to destroy their world.

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Narrative Summary

The narrative typically follows a protagonist, often a child or spouse, who stumbles upon clues that challenge their perception of a close family member. The story unfolds as a slow-burn investigation, building claustrophobic tension within the domestic sphere. The central conflict is internal and external, pitting the need for truth against the desire to preserve a fragile family unit.

Why These Movies?

These films are grouped by their core premise of domestic suspicion and the psychological horror of familial betrayal. They share a mood of oppressive dread, a steady pacing that allows unease to fester, and a heavy emotional weight centered on loss of innocence and shattered trust.

Mysteries set in small towns like The Clovehitch Killer

Uneasy mysteries where a community's peaceful surface hides a rotten core.For viewers who enjoyed the small-town Kentucky setting of The Clovehitch Killer, this list features similar mystery and thriller movies. Discover films where a community's dark past resurfaces, and an amateur sleuth must navigate gossip, suspicion, and hidden evils to uncover the truth everyone wants to forget.

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Narrative Summary

These narratives feature a protagonist uncovering a cold case or a ongoing secret that implicates respected members of their small community. The plot progresses methodically, relying on discovery of clues and interviews with tight-lipped locals. The conflict is against a hidden evil that is deeply woven into the social fabric, making the investigator feel isolated and vulnerable.

Why These Movies?

Movies in this thread share a specific atmospheric blend: a steady, methodical pacing; a dark and suspenseful tone; and a setting that feels both familiar and threatening. The combination of a small-town backdrop with a slow-burn investigative plot creates a unique vibe of pervasive unease and moral ambiguity.

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The Clovehitch Killer Summary

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The Clovehitch Killer Summary

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Characters, Settings & Themes in The Clovehitch Killer

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