The Clovehitch Killer is a 2018 American coming-of-age[1] thriller film, directed by Duncan Skiles in his directorial debut and written by Christopher Ford.

Tyler investigates Don's private shed and finds a hidden compartment containing bondage magazines, along with a Polaroid photograph of a beaten and bound woman.

Fearing his father might be the killer, Tyler befriends a teen outcast and amateur Clovehitch historian named Kassi and asks for her help.

He hears someone ring the doorbell and peers out the window, he quickly takes off the crossdressing stuff and opens the door to find Kassi looking for Tyler.

[5] Director Duncan Skiles took inspiration from the story of Dennis Rader, also known as the BTK (Bind, Torture, Kill) serial killer.

Its consensus reads, "The Clovehitch Killer patiently dials up the tension with a story that makes up for a lack of surprises with strong performances and a chilling wit.

[7] The New York Times's Jeannette Catsoulis wrote, "Christopher Ford's screenplay has obvious narrative holes... and the relentless focus on mood over action can drag.

Even so, McDermott is admirably unsettling, and Luke McCoubrey's artfully sterile cinematography adds an air of suffocating wholesomeness that can make you squirm.

"[8] Entertainment Weekly's Dana Schwartz gave the film a B+ grade, writing, "Unlike so many recent horror movies, The Clovehitch Killer is patient with its thrills, almost excruciatingly so", but added that it "falters with the character of Kassi".

[9] Emily Yoshida of Vulture said that Don's character was "convincing because it's not terribly sensationalized, and the film's conclusion is similarly smart, completely pulling the rug out from under our expectations of justice and revenge.

"[10] Justin Lowe of The Hollywood Reporter called the plot "slow...more reliant on atmosphere than action to build suspense...offers an intriguing perspective on the dark side of Americans values...but lacks the conviction to entirely expose the cultural contradictions that often enable compulsive murderers...It's a missed opportunity.

"[12] Lauded horror author Stephen King wrote about the film, calling it "an excellent small movie", "unbearably suspenseful", and "(n)ot for the faint of heart".