Women Who Kill 2016

Morgan and Jean sustain their podcast partnership after their breakup

Despite having ended their romantic relationship, Morgan and Jean maintain a tight, work-focused dynamic around their true crime podcast. Their late-night talks and shared ambition keep the show thriving, even as personal history simmer beneath the surface. The film opens with them continuing to co-host and navigate fame together.

Morgan meets Simone at the food co-op and sparks a romance

During a volunteer shift at a local food co-op, Morgan meets Simone, a mysterious, dark-haired woman who gives her a number and stirs a new romance. Their connection is instant and charged, offering a dangerous contrast to their public lives. The romance complicates Morgan’s allegiance to Jean and the podcast’s boundaries.

Grace is found dead; Simone is named as last person to see her alive

Shortly after Morgan and Simone’s meeting, Grace, the lead organizer of the co-op, is found dead. Simone is named as one of the last people seen with Grace, drawing immediate scrutiny towards her. Morgan and Jean brace for a difficult case that could threaten their credibility and safety.

Jean uncovers Simone's past and identity as Allison Walker

Jean grows wary and digs into Simone’s history, uncovering that Simone’s real name is Allison Walker. She learns there are darker threads connecting Simone to the violent legacy of the Clipper killer. She also shares a podcast clip about Josephine Walker and her daughter’s regret to illustrate the danger of glamorizing killers.

Simone triggers the kitchen fire alarm

One night, at home, Simone triggers the kitchen fire alarm, an unsettling sign of her escalating oddity. Morgan watches as Simone’s behavior grows more ritualistic and unpredictable. The moment heightens Morgan’s fear and distrust, setting the stage for deeper scrutiny.

A burnt passport photo surfaces among Simone’s belongings

The next day, Morgan discovers a burnt piece of a passport photo among Simone’s possessions, fueling fear that Simone is hiding something dangerous. She begins piecing together clues that the relationship could be more perilous than she realized. The discovery deepens the divide between Morgan and her budding trust in Simone.

Simone’s nail rituals reveal a chilling pattern

Morgan observes Simone in an almost ritualistic state, rapidly clipping her fingernails and even attempting to trim Morgan’s nails. The behavior points to a disturbing fixation and hints at the killer’s obsessive control. These moments push Morgan toward believing there is a real danger behind Simone’s calm exterior.

Morgan uncovers a nail kit and six victim names

While going through Simone’s belongings at home, Morgan pries open a mysterious box and finds a nail grooming kit along with boxes of nail clippings bearing six names—victims linked to the Clipper. The chilling discovery confirms Morgan’s worst fears about Simone’s past. The moment forces a confrontation with Jean about the risk they are taking.

Alex is missing; Kim reveals Alex is missing

The next morning Kim reveals that Alex, Morgan’s best friend, is missing, deepening the sense that something horrifying has happened. Morgan shares her worrying findings with Jean, heightening the stakes. The disappearance intensifies the tension between the pair and the investigation.

Morgan and Jean follow Simone and find Alex alive

Morgan and Jean decide to follow Simone in hopes she’ll reveal Alex’s whereabouts or the truth behind the disappearances. They instead encounter Alex herself, who is alive but frustrated by their melodramatic fantasies. The encounter creates a rift between the ex-lovers as trust frays further.

A tense co-op visit reveals Morgan’s fear and Jean’s injury

During a later co-op visit, Morgan learns Jean’s new boyfriend says Jean went to check on Simone at the co-op. Morgan finds an unconscious Jean on the floor and suspects Simone harmed her. A tense confrontation ensues as Morgan grabs a knife near the nail kit to defend herself.

Simone reveals a chilling possibility and stabs herself

In a charged exchange, Simone asks, 'What if I told you I did kill those people?' The moment ends tragically when Simone accidentally impales herself on Morgan’s knife, with Jean regaining consciousness to realize Simone was innocent. The revelation shatters the framing and resolves the immediate danger.

Morgan leaves the co-op wearing a blood-stained sweater and reflects

Morgan walks away wearing a blood-stained sweater and explains that she has 'hurt some people.' She continues their podcast, acknowledging the murkiness of self-defense and their influence on listeners. The scene underscores the moral cost of their fame and the stories they tell.