‘The Ritual Killer’ Ending Explained: Why Did Boyd Eat Randoku’s Eyeball? 

The Ritual Killer is a 2023 action thriller starring Cole Hauser as tough and traumatized cop Lucas Boyd, and Morgan Freeman as wise anthropology professor Dr. Mackles. In a classic cat-and-mouse thriller, a serial killer on the hunt for young and innocent lives has left a string of bodies worldwide. Each kill is highly ritualistic, with random body parts removed and intricate symbols painted on surrounding surfaces. Boyde, Mackles, and a few others along the way come together to piece everything together and catch the killer before another child dies. 

Throughout the film, we learn that the serial killer is a witch doctor — a sangoma, as they call it in Muti — named Randoku. He uses “Muti,” a dark form of religion that provides believers with power through grotesque actions. That’s when Boyd calls upon Professor Mackles, who also happens to be an expert in Muti, to help him decipher Randoku’s motives and how to kill him. Randoku’s final victim is Katie Franklin, a young Mississippi high school student with straight A’s and an impressive track career ahead of her. Eventually, Randoku is caught by Boyd and Mackles just before Katie’s murder, but that’s when things really get weird. With a supernatural twist, missing characters, and an abrupt ending, it’s no surprise that many viewers left The Ritual Killer feeling confused.

Is Mackles a sangoma like Randoku? Why did Boyd eat Randoku’s eyeballs? We’ve got all the answers below. 

The Ritual Killer Ending Explained: Why Did Boyd Eat Randoku’s Eyeball? 

Some time after saving Katie, Lavazzi calls Boyd to tell him that nine months ago Mackles was in Rome giving lectures, which Randoku attended and then met Mackles several times after. Boyd tries calling Mackles to discuss this information, but discovers he has taken a leave of absence indefinitely from an answering machine message. The implication is that Randoku first discovered the practice of Muti nine months ago when he heard Dr. Mackles’ lecture. The two men could have been meeting to discuss it further, sparking an obsession. 

Mackles was a much older man than Randoku, meaning he should not have been able to defeat Randoku, according to Muti. When Randoku and Mackles confronted each other in Farner’s house, there was familiarity seen by both men. We now know that this could have been because of their time together in Italy, or a sangoma could have recognized a fellow sangoma — but is Mackles a sangoma? The clues point us toward yes. 

Mackles’ expertise in Muti stemmed from personal and academic experience, and he was most likely able to defeat Randoku because he also became a sangoma himself. It seems to be the only explanation for Mackles’ ability to kill him. Additionally, Maria’s healing could have resulted from Mackles performing a ritual on her. After learning about Mackles’ hospital visit and prayer, her healing seems to be much more than the “miracle” the doctor detailed. 

Guilt plays a huge factor in The Ritual Killer. Boyd feels tremendous guilt over the death of his daughter and the subsequent suicide of his wife. In a dream-like flashback, we see how Boyd was supposed to be watching his daughter while she sat on a dock, but when he fell asleep, she had a seizure and drowned. Mackles could also have felt guilt for nurturing this dark obsession in Randoku and creating a killer. 

In the last scene, detective Lavazzi and Boyd both receive packages from an ambiguous sender. As Boyd opens the box, he finds a woven pouch and a note from Mackles, stating “I got him.” The “him” Mackles is referring to is Randoku. Randoku’s death is confirmed when Boyd opens up the pouch to find that Mackles has mailed him both his eyeballs. To the surprise of, well, everyone, Boyd pops one into his mouth. He struggles to chew without gagging, but eventually swallows the eye and smirks slightly into the camera before the screen goes black to end the film. 

We never see Lavazzi open his package, but we can only assume it’s a similar — if not the same — note, and another one of Randoku’s body parts. 

But why on earth did Boyd eat Randoku’s eyeball?! It’s most likely that Boyd remembered what Mackles said about Muti. He previously explained to Boyd that different organs are harvested and consumed to achieve different types of power — some political power and wealth, others intelligence and luck. Eyeballs are said to give farsightedness and clarity sight, allowing the consumer to see future and past events for what they really are. So by eating the eyeball, Boyd will become a better cop, as he will be able to leave his tragic past behind him and receive clarity in exactly how to investigate crimes — maybe even before they happen.