Avoiding the Single Story and Chilling Reflections

Despite being the key conflict in the movie, Katie’s murder is never shown on screen. It is briefly described in the ending, but its cruelty and horror is never depicted. Clint Eastwood’s conscious omission of this scene enhanced the film by adding an extra level of suspense to the plot. Throughout the movie, the audience is left to wonder who killed Katie, but also how she was killed. After the revelation that Ray Harris was the killer, Katie’s murder also served as a source of irony that diversified Ray’s character. For an example, the murderer wasn’t Brendan Harris, it was “Silent Ray” Harris-another Harris and another Ray that became a criminal. This event ironically connected back to Jimmy’s younger days as a criminal himself. Unfortunately, this time, his daughter was the victim. The omission of Katie’s murder also maintained the audience’s sympathy for “Silent Ray”. This created a “gray area” of morality for the viewers, and avoided a one dimensional “good versus bad” depiction. Eastwood also avoided creating a single story for many of the characters by omitting direct depictions of violence.

The pedophile’s murder was never shown, and like Katie’s murder, was simply described. This created another “gray area” of morality as the viewers sympathized with Dave. However, Dave was a murderer who brutally took a life using his bare hands. Eastwood avoided this single story of him by omitting a detailed showing of the horrific crime.

The most subtle hint of violence in the film was between Celeste and Annabeth. Towards the very end of the movie, Annabeth criticizes Celeste’s actions as a wife. The last image of Annabeth showed her disapproving and disgusted look toward Celeste. These few seconds hinted at an emotional violence that was not shown on film.

(During this entire scene, Silent Ray knew he killed Katie, but Brendan didn't--- Absolutely chilling.)