MovieChat Forums > The Clovehitch Killer (2018) Discussion > Tell me he wasn't serious!

Tell me he wasn't serious!

posted 6 years ago by EsmeJai (171)
9 replies | jump to latest

I don't know about you guys, but if I found out that my dad was a murderer, I'd want to have nothing to do with him. In fact, it would creep me out intensely. I would be terrified of being in the same room with him. I would report him to the authorities, and let them deal with him.

The guy (Don) tortured and killed women. He got a sick pleasure out of doing so... That's just depraved behaviour. These women were innocent. I would understand if he was a vigilante who was fighting for justice and was killing bad guys. But, this man was BEYOND PERVERTED!!!

Now, I understand why Tyler killed his dad, but the ending of the movie made it seem as if he felt for the guy... the freakin' serial killer!! He said he loved his dad, and that's where the movie ended. Now, did he say that because he meant it - that's the impression I got - or because he had to say something nice to avoid suspicion?

It seems like the director wanted to focus on Don's humanity - that in spite of his psychotic side, he was still a good person - but I didn't share the same sentiment.

Any thoughts? Anyone?

[–] [deleted] 6 years ago

Think he did it to protect his family and that was it.....just a show

[–] MovieFan00 (211) 6 years ago

I actually disagree with you. I don’t think the killer showed any humanity. He was going to murder his own son to hide his secret. If anything, the film removes any nuance to the character. He was evil.

[–] thebucketrider (57) 5 years ago

People aren't one-dimensional: it's entirely possible the guy was a criminal and a decent father. I think it would be entirely appropriate for the son to have conflicted feelings about him.

[–] Wuchak (8732) 3 years ago

More than that, Mr. Burnside was clearly seeking redemption for his past grievous sins as he was heavily involved with a local Christian assembly and the home environment of the Burnsides was loving. He was successful to some degree since it had been well over twenty years since he committed the heinous crime.

But he foolishly didn't "burn the bridges" and so when his son discovered his dark secret he was tempted to flirt with those desires of the past and eventually caved full-tilt.

As far as his willingness to kill his son goes, he didn't intend to do this, which is why he sent him off to some leadership camp. But when Tyler caught him in the act at that woman's house his instincts kicked in and he naturally tried to kill the immediate threat to his life and evil secret.

[–] AP (5288) 5 years ago

Family members of real life killers often have conflicting emotions regarding their loved ones.

[–] [deleted] 4 years ago

This. Family members of killers see a completely different side of those people than the public or the victims. We see a depraved human being devoid of any humanity, and their families often see them as completely normal, because they never knew about their loved ones' other side. Life is often more than just black and white.

[–] Windsaar (324) 2 years ago

Wrong. Life is either completely black, or white. There is no middle-ground.
Unless it doesn't exist in the neatest, cleanest, one-dimensional package..it couldn't possibly exist.

The man is either a psychopathic murderer at ALL times, or he was super-nice, kindhearted and completely stable.
There is no in-between. Everyone knows this. Get with the program and try to keep up with the times.

/s (Obligatory "end sarcasm" footnote here lol)

[–] Faridah (1363) 4 years ago

He was protecting his mom and sister so they could have memory their dad was who he pretended to be.

[–] Saenzwa9 (484) 4 years ago

I love my father. He is one of the best father's someone could ask for, and he's a good friend. That being said I think would be very conflicted about how to handle a similar situation like the one in this movie. It's easy to say you would just cut him off, and turn him in, and indeed some people would no problem, but it might not be so easy for other's. In this film Dylan Mcdermott's character sweet talks his son into giving him the rifle, then tries to use it to kill him. That is where the line would absolutely be crossed for me.