The Ritual Killer Ending Explained- Why Does Boyd Eat Randoku’s Eyes And Was Mackles A Sangoma?

The Ritual Killer starring Cole Hauser(Rip from Yellowstone) as Lucas Boyd and Morgan Freeman as Dr. Mackles(Dark Knight movies and anything where a cool, wise voice is needed), is a classic cat-and-mouse thriller with a supernatural twist and a potentially confusing ending. A killer with a penchant for young, hopeful lives has left a string of bodies worldwide. Each kill is highly ritualistic, with body parts removed and symbols painted on surfaces. Two cops a globe apart and a seeming academic must put the pieces together before another kid dies. Eventually, the killer is caught, but that’s when things get really weird. Here is everything you need to know about The Ritual Killer ending, Why Boyd ate Randoku’s eyes, and what is Mackles?

The Ritual Killer opens with Inspector Marco Lavazzi investigating several horrific murders in Italy. He finds the killer Randoku who kills several other police officers and runs away. After evading the police, he meets with Shelby Farner, a shady billionaire, which leads him to America and Boyd. Even for hardened cop Boyd(Hauser), the recent murders are a lot to handle. Boyd is one of those damaged by trauma police officers who now shoot first and ask questions later. Boyd and his partner Maria begin investigating the ritualistic killings of two children. He enlists the help of Dr. Mackles, an expert in African spirituality, particularly a dark form of religion called Muti. Together they track down a deadly killer working for a billionaire who wants the power Muti can provide him.

At first, Dr. Mackles is reluctant to help. Boyd shows him the symbols and artifacts left behind at the murder site. Mackles eventually agrees to help and tells Boyd he is looking for a Sangoma, a South African witch doctor of sorts. The body parts removed during the murders are done specifically to increase luck, potency, and power in those who practice Muti. The initial Italian killings were Randoku(Vernon Davis) killing for himself. It made him strong and powerful and allowed him to carry out the rest of his kills for Farner, who wanted to continue to have money and power. He wanted even more of both and instructed Randoku to look for an intelligent, hopeful young person whose death would be especially tragic.

Randoku almost gets a young bartender who was in medical school, but a police officer comes into the bar, and Randoku kills the officer and leaves. Boyd and his fellow officers track Randoku to his apartment, where they nearly apprehend him, but he gets away, severely injuring Maria in the process. Boyd finds Lavazzi’s card in Randoku’s room, though, and calls the Italian detective, who explains Farner is the key. Meanwhile, Randoku and Farner find a college student who is also a track athlete, and Farner tricks her into coming to his house with the promise of a scholarship. Boyd and Mackles find Farner’s house and his secret lair just before she is killed. Randoku knocks Boyd out from behind, and he and Mackles square off. Randoku tries to kill Mackles but ultimately gets stabbed by Mackles and runs off bleeding. Boyd regains consciousness and saves the young woman.

The ending of The Ritual Killer explained

At the film’s end, after Boyd and Mackles rescue Katie and arrest Farner, Randoku disappears. Simultaneously, Boyd, preoccupied with his partner’s declining health, arrives to find that she has miraculously taken a turn for the better. Maria was doing very poorly before, and doctors were worried she would not live, but after having a visitor, she is much better. Boyd asks the nurse about the visitor, which is clearly Dr. Mackles. At this point, his investigation into Randoku stalls with both men missing. A package arrives at the house, and inside are two eyeballs with a note, “I GOT HIM.” Presumably, this note is from Mackles, who found Randoku, killed him, and sent the eyeballs as proof. Lavazzi was also sent a box that almost certainly contained a note and a body part from Randoku.

Where did Dr. Mackles go, and is he a sangoma?

Sometime after saving Katie, Boyd takes a call from Lavazzi, who tells him Mackles was in Rome nine months ago giving a lecture series, and he met with Randoku several times. When Boyd tries to contact Mackles about this, he finds he has taken an indefinite leave of absence. The implication is Randoku first discovered the practice of Muti nine months ago when he heard Dr. Mackles’ lecture. The two men could have met to discuss it further, and an obsession began. Randoku might have been made a believer by Mackles, or he may have recognized an opportunity to exploit evil billionaires. If this were the case, Mackles would have felt guilt over his contribution to the making of a killer. He could have left town to search for Randoku to clean up the mess he felt like he created.

Guilt plays a significant factor in The Ritual Killer. Boyd feels tremendous guilt over the death of his daughter and the subsequent suicide of his wife. Boyd was supposed to be watching his daughter, who was on a dock but fell asleep, and she drowned. Mackles could also have felt guilt for nurturing this dark obsession in Randoku and creating a killer. It could be something more complicated than that, though.

Dr. Mackles was a much older man than Randoku. Assuming Mackles led a relatively sedentary life at this point in his career, he should not have been able to defeat Randoku. When Randoku and Mackles confronted each other in Farner’s house, there was familiarity and respect seen by both men. It could have been because of their time together in Italy, or a sangoma could have recognized a fellow sangoma.

Mackles’ expertise in Muti could have stemmed from personal and academic experience. He may have been able to kill Randoku because he was also a sangoma. It is the only thing that makes sense of Mackles being able to defeat Randoku. Additionally, Maria’s healing could have resulted from Mackles performing a ritual on her. The timing is more than coincidental.

Why does Boyd eat Randoku’s eyes at the end of The Ritual Killer?

After finding the eyeballs in the box with Mackles’ note, Boyd pops one into his mouth. He nearly gags but manages to chew and swallow the eyeball before smiling slightly into the camera as The Ritual Killer ends. Boyd remembers what Mackles said about Muti. Mackles told him different organs are harvested and consumed to achieve different things. Some give political power and wealth, and others intelligence and luck. Eyeballs are supposed to give the consumer farsightedness and clarity sight. The sight promised is not the physical ability to see but rather the ability to see future and past events for what they really are. In effect, he was giving him a way to be a better cop and leave his tragic past behind him. He would have clarity in determining how to investigate crimes.

At one point, while on the hunt for Randoku, he says he wished he “could see his face because right now, all I see is a monster.” By consuming his eyes, he is hoping to be able to see all monsters in the future and stop them before they can kill. He likely ate the eyeballs because he is now a believer in Muti after finding Maria saved. It also allowed him to participate in Randoku’s death, however small his part was. We don’t know what parts were sent to Lavazzi or if he ate his parts as well. We also don’t see Mackles’ future plans now that Randoku is dead. He might be wanted for Randoku’s murder now.

Is Muti real, and do sangomas exist?

Sangomas are integral parts for some in Southern Africa. They are commonly referred to as witch doctors, but they are more akin to a combination of life coaches, spiritual guides, and nontraditional medical professionals. Sangomas are trusted with everything from broken hearts to high blood pressure. Forms of Muti can be found all over in large and small stores and private dwellings. Although there is undoubtedly an element of mystery around the magic, most of the medicines are made from plant and tree materials. The word Muti comes from the Zulu word for tree umuthi.

There are good and bad Muti. The beneficial Muti aims to heal one’s mind, body, and soul. Whether it really does that is a debate for another day. Bad Muti is what Farner and Randoku practiced and seek control, power, and manipulation. This bad practice of Muti puts curses on people, unwittingly makes people love slaves, and gets revenge. Sangomas, who practice the good Muti, believe there is a price to misusing the power, though Muti is intended for healing, not personal gain.

Whether it is real or not is questionable, but nearly everyone agrees it is best not to mess with it. Dr. Mackles may have been a good Muti sangoma, and after meeting him, Randoku knew it was his duty to stop the killer. He completed the circle of life by killing Randoku and sending his body parts to the two policemen, still haunted by his disappearance and in need of healing themselves.

The Ritual Killer is on Hulu right now.