The Shocking Truth: Who is the Killer in Netflix's 'His & Hers'?
The gripping Australian-set psychological thriller His & Hers, streaming on Netflix, has kept audiences glued to their screens, culminating in a finale that delivered a twist few saw coming. Based on the novel by Alice Feeney, the series—starring Tessa Thompson as Anna Andrews and Jon Bernthal as Jack Harper—seemed to wrap up its central murder mystery halfway through the dramatic final episode. However, the true architect of the violence was hiding in plain sight, solidifying the show’s reputation as a masterclass in misdirection.
For much of the series, the focus remained on Lexy Jones (Rebecca Rittenhouse), an Atlanta TV anchor revealed to be Catherine Kelly, the ostracised student from Anna’s high school days in Dahlonega, Georgia. The narrative strongly suggested that Lexy was systematically targeting and killing Anna’s former high school tormentors, with Anna herself marked as the next victim. The tension peaked when Jack’s police partner, Priya (Sunita Mani), intervened, seemingly thwarting Lexy’s murderous spree.
The Mid-Season Reveal vs. The Final Twist
Viewers breathed a collective sigh of relief when Lexy was apparently apprehended. But the narrative pulled the rug out from under everyone one year later. Following the devastating loss of their baby while in the care of Anna’s mother, Alice (Crystal Fox), Anna discovers a letter that irrevocably changes the entire context of the preceding events. This final, devastating confession reveals that Alice, Anna’s devoted mother, was the killer all along.
Tessa Thompson, who also served as an executive producer, admitted to Netflix Tudum that she never suspected Alice. Co-star Jon Bernthal shared the sentiment, noting the complexity of the plot construction. “Once the other murders happen … I thought it was possible that Anna could have been the killer,” Bernthal confessed—a shared suspicion that highlights the expertly crafted ambiguity designed by director, executive producer, and writer William Oldroyd.
Alice’s Motives: A Mother’s Twisted Justice
The revelation that Alice was responsible for the murders of Rachel, Helen, and Zoe, and for framing Lexy, stems from a deep-seated, albeit warped, sense of maternal protection and justice. The series consistently alluded to a dark incident that occurred during Anna’s 16th birthday party—a night captured on video by a young Anna, documenting everything.
Years later, after Anna suffers the unimaginable tragedy of losing her baby, Jack’s child, Alice retreats into Anna’s old tapes for comfort, seeking solace in her daughter's more innocent past. This journey into nostalgia ends abruptly when Alice watches the final tape. While the exact details are left ominously vague in the series, the tape reveals a horrific event—implied to be a sexual assault or similar trauma inflicted upon Anna by her friends, particularly Rachel—that Alice witnessed or discovered through the footage.
The Chain of Murders Explained
Alice’s actions are framed as retribution for the pain inflicted upon her daughter, both historically and recently. The sequence of events unfolds as follows:
- Rachel’s Murder: Alice killed Rachel after discovering she was sleeping with Jack, adding a layer of immediate jealousy to the underlying protection motive.
- Helen and Zoe: The subsequent murders of Helen and Zoe were carried out to eliminate all participants from the night of Anna’s 16th birthday party.
- Framing Lexy: Alice planted evidence at Lexy’s home, an act driven by her desire to see Catherine Kelly (Lexy) punished for her past cruelty toward Anna.
Faithful Adaptation: Book vs. Series
Fans of Alice Feeney’s source novel will recognise this shocking conclusion. William Oldroyd confirmed that Anna’s mother being the killer was the very element that drew him to adapting the story. “I had not seen that twist coming,” Oldroyd remarked, praising the novel’s ability to deliver a twist that is both unexpected and deeply merited.
Oldroyd described the adaptation as a “love letter” to his own mother, suggesting that while the actions are extreme, the underlying motive—a mother’s fierce, protective love—is something he hopes audiences can, in some way, understand. For viewers in Australia and globally, His & Hers has provided a taut, character-driven mystery that successfully sustained suspense across its six episodes, proving that sometimes the most dangerous secrets are kept closest to home.