If you’re my age, you remember when “porn” came in the form of nude photos in an older brother’s copy of Playboy. Maybe, if you were especially lucky, you had a friend with lazy parents that had Cinemax. Today, of course, porn is readily available, and those photos and soft-core skin flicks of your youth seem like Disney films by comparison. The extremities of easily available pornography today no doubt amplifies the experiences of today’s pubescent youth–not to mention the distraught, denial-ridden parents struggling to keep up. Now, it seems that coming-of-age films may be facing a similar evolution.

masterful writing, direction, and editing

Films like Stand By Me introduced a generation to the trope of murder as a stand-in for teenage boys losing their innocence. But, just like the still photos of Anna Nicole or Jenny McCarthy, the mere discovery of a dead body may no longer, um, get a rise. Enter The Clovehitch Killer, which updates this coming-of-age tale for today’s environment. Instead of a dead body, our bible-belt born and bred protagonist, Tyler (Charlie Plummer), finds himself investigating a sadistic serial killer with a bondage fetish. What’s more, the murderer he’s hunting may just be his own father (Dylan McDermott).

Screenwriter Christopher Ford (Robot & Frank, Spider-Man: Homecoming) weaves an intricate tale that follows Tyler’s journey of discovery. His curiosity unravels a chain of events that threatens to shatter his carefully manicured bubble as the son of a devout, moral Christian. Plummer (Lean on Pete) turns in a riveting performance as he goes toe-to-toe with McDermott (Josie, American Horror Story). Ford’s story teeters right on the edge of ‘is he/isn’t he’, providing a magnificent showcase for McDermott’s talents.

a magnificent showcase for McDermott’s talents

The most surprising performance; however, might be Madisen Beaty (The Master, Once Upon A Time In Hollywood). Beaty’s sarcastic charm provides the perfect complement to Plummer’s teenaged awkwardness. She also reveals a layered character whose motivations differ from that of Plummer’s character. A lesser film might have her motivations merely give way to the male protagonist. However, Ford finds a way to uncompromisingly serve the interests of both characters. In addition, Duncan Skiles, in his first genre entry and only his second feature-length film, achieves captivating performances and perfect chemistry from both young actors.

Film editors Megan Brooks and Andrew Hasse also make solid contributions as several risky out-of-sequence editing choices pay off. In doing so, the actual mystery takes a back seat. While this may disappoint moviegoers looking for a traditional ‘whodunit,’ the decisions ultimately work to the film’s benefit. The Clovehitch Killer focuses on the characters, the decisions they make, and their courage in the face of danger. The masterful writing, direction, and editing combine ultimately to bring substantial weight to the story.

The Clovehitch Killer is currently available on VOD.