The new Shudder slasher film Night of the Reaper delivers a final act packed with surprises that completely recontextualizes the story. What begins as a standard tale of a babysitter stalked by a masked killer transforms into a personal revenge story with two masterminds behind the mask. The ending reveals that the killer is not a supernatural force but a duo with a deeply personal connection to past tragedies, and the protagonist, Deena, is far from a helpless victim .
Released on September 19, 2025, and directed by Brandon Christensen, the film is set in the 1980s and follows college student Deena as she babysits a sheriff’s son on a night when a local killer is active. Meanwhile, Sheriff Rodney “Rod” Arnold receives mysterious VHS tapes that taunt him with clues about unsolved murders. The two storylines collide in a climax that reveals the true motivation for the night’s terror .
Who Is the Killer in Night of the Reaper?
The person under the Grim Reaper mask is Elizabeth Talbot, a forest services officer who has been working in plain sight . Her accomplice is Chad, a young man who records all of her murders on VHS tapes. The film leads viewers to believe a single, mysterious killer is on the loose, but the twist reveals a partnership.
Elizabeth and Chad have been systematically targeting people they hold responsible for past tragedies. Their victims include a camper named Connor Davis and a babysitter named Emily Goulding. The clues sent to Sheriff Arnold were a deliberate distraction, a “wild goose chase” designed to keep him occupied while they carried out their plan .
The Final Twist and Deena’s Real Plan
The biggest shock of the finale is that Deena is not a random target. She has been manipulating events from the beginning. It is revealed that Deena was the one sending the VHS tapes to Sheriff Arnold . After her sister, Emily, was murdered, Deena suspected Elizabeth was involved. She followed Elizabeth, discovered the tapes of the murders, and stole them.
Deena’s entire night of babysitting was a trap. She knew Elizabeth would come for her, and she used the opportunity to turn the tables. After faking a call to the police, Deena lures Elizabeth into the house and shoots her in the leg. She then reveals her true motive: to avenge her sister’s death .
Deena confronts Elizabeth, stating that Emily Golding was her sister, and this is the time to avenge her death .
Just as Deena is about to shoot Elizabeth, she is knocked out from behind by Chad. It seems the killers have won, but their victory is short-lived. Chad uses a walkie-talkie to communicate, which suddenly explodes, killing him instantly. This allows Elizabeth to break free and attempt to kill a tied-up Deena .
How Does Elizabeth Talbot Die?
As Elizabeth is about to kill Deena, Sheriff Arnold arrives and shoots her. Arnold’s involvement is also deeply personal. One of the VHS tapes Deena sent him revealed that his wife, Abigail, did not die in a simple car crash as he had believed. She was also murdered by Elizabeth . Arnold’s investigation throughout the night was not just about solving a case; it was about discovering the truth behind his own tragic loss.
Elizabeth attempts to play the victim and blame Deena, but when she subtly reaches for a knife to attack Arnold, he shoots her point-blank, killing her .
The Aftermath and the Sheriff’s Decision
The film does not end with a clean resolution. Instead, Deena and Sheriff Arnold come to a silent understanding. To cover up the chaotic events of the night, Arnold fabricates the official report. He lists Elizabeth as “missing” and plants Chad’s body at her house, framing the entire incident on her . This dark secret becomes their way of coping with the loss of their loved ones, Abigail and Emily.
A key concern for viewers is the safety of Max, the young boy Deena was babysitting. The film assures that Deena had already taken steps to protect him. Earlier in the night, she arranged for Max to be taken to her friend Haddie’s house, ensuring he was far from danger during the final confrontation .
Fan Reactions to the Ending
The ending twists have generated discussion among viewers. Some found the reveals to be an interesting surprise that made the slower build-up worthwhile . As one IMDb user noted:
“This is not your usual ‘mask killer’ slasher movie… [it] has some nice twists & something a little new” .
However, other reviews pointed out that the killer’s motivation felt vague to some, and the number of twists in the final act risked feeling cluttered . Despite differing opinions on the execution, the ambition to subvert the typical slasher formula was widely noted .
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