Midnight in the Switchgrass ending explained: What happened to Peter?

Midnight in the Switchgrass is an American crime thriller film about an investigation into a string of mysterious killings in Florida conducted by a police officer and an FBI agent. It is reportedly inspired by a real-life story of a Texas truck stop killer.

The film is written by Alan Horsnail and directed by Randall Emmett. Its central cast includes Megan Fox, Emile Hirsch, Bruce Willis, and Lukas Haas. Machine Gun Kellys stars in a brief role. This police procedural film from Lionsgate was released in theaters on July 23, 2021. It is now streaming on Netflix in the United States.

At the end of Midnight in the Switchgrass, FBI agent Rebecca exposes Peter as the killer behind the horrifying serial murders. She saves a young girl that Peter abducted before and stabs Peter, which potentially leads to his death.

Disclaimer: This article contains spoilers for Midnight in the Switchgrass. Reader discretion is advised.

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What is Midnight in the Switchgrass about?

Set in 2014 Pensacola, Midnight in the Switchgrass follows a criminal investigation conducted by Police Officer Byron Crawford (Emile Hirsch) and FBI agent Rebecca (Megan Fox). In the beginning, Rebecca looks into a serial killer's case with her colleague, Karl (Bruce Willis).

Karl leaves the investigation since he believes they should approach the case differently. As it happens, Officer Byron discovers a dead body that fits the pattern of murder cases he looked into over the years. His research leads him to cross paths with Rebecca.

Byron and Rebecca invite a suspect to a bar. This suspect—Peter Hillborough (Lukas Haas) drugs Rebecca and kidnaps her. So, she loses touch with Byron, who frantically looks for her. Eventually, he connects the dots to Peter and shows up at his house. Peter's wife reveals that he is not home.

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Why does Peter commit a series of murders?

To understand the reasons behind Peter's actions, let's briefly recap what happens in Midnight in the Switchgrass. It begins with a voice-over that reveals a proverb about hunting—In the animal world, there is a known pattern of predators and prey.

According to this saying, it doesn't apply to humans, who can choose between the two. These conventional norms do not apply in Pensacola. This voice-over hints at the miserable state of affairs in this city marred by lawlessness where a choice is likely an illusion.

It goes in line with Peter, who appears to be a family man but happens to be a serial murderer. He claims to save a young girl (Tracy) but keeps her locked in his shed instead.

According to Officer Byron's research, the serial killer preys on young women with an affinity to drugs. Peter's intent behind these crimes is presumably rooted in his problematic past, which provokes him to a sinister side.

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What happens to Peter after getting caught?

Peter kidnaps Rebecca and brings her to his shed. She rescues Tracy, which angers Peter, and he nearly chokes her to death. Rebecca uses her hidden knife to stab Peter but loses consciousness. In the film's final moments, she appears in a hospital, unable to speak, but alive.

After Rebecca's attack, Peter lies on the floor, presumably unconscious. The film doesn't tell whether he is dead or alive. However, it hints at his death in the closing scenes. The final moments show Peter's wife and his daughter outside their house, getting emotional upon realizing the horrific truth about him.

Until then, Midnight in the Switchgrass also speaks about fraught parent-child relationships that affect the later generations. So, the presence of Peter's daughter in the closing beats indicates that she might have the same fate as the other children, upon losing their parents.