For weeks, viewers have wondered who the killer at the center of the Apple TV+ series is. Presumed innocent possibly. The show focuses on prosecutor Rusty Sabich (Jake Gyllenhaal)—the prime suspect in the murder of one of his colleagues—is based on the 1987 novel by Scott Turow, which was previously adapted into a 1990 film starring Harrison Ford. As a result, some smart viewers might think they know who the killer is. But instead, the show’s creators used that precedent to toy with viewers right up until the very end—and then revealed an entirely different killer.
*Warning: Spoilers for the final episode on July 24 Presumed innocent.*
Presumed innocent follows Rusty’s trial after he is charged with the murder of Carolyn Polhemus (Renate Reinsve), an ambitious prosecutor working in his office. Rusty had an affair with Carolyn years ago and has recently had it again. This news has devastated his family, his wife Barbara (Ruth Negga) and their two children Kyle (Kingston Rumi Southwick) and Jaden (Infiniti Chase). Rusty’s co-worker is Tommy Molto (Peter Sarsgaard) serves as the prosecutor for the case, but seems to have personal issues with Rusty that are affecting his vision. Given the horrifying way her body was tied up, it’s also possible that Carolyn’s murder is somehow connected to a case she solved in the past.
The series takes twists and turns that make it seem like Rusty actually did it, even though he denies having anything to do with Carolyn’s death. Carolyn recently discovered she was pregnant with his child and tried to end the relationship—and Rusty became obsessed with her. At other times, evidence raises questions about whether anyone else was responsible for her murder. As Rusty’s trial heats up, things take a dramatic turn when the previously undiscovered murder weapon (a fire pick) turns up on Tommy Molto’s desk, accompanied by a threatening note.
Most of the plot points in the book mirror those in the book and the 1990 film adaptation. However, at the end of the film, Ford’s Rusty discovers the murder weapon (a hammer) in his own toolshed—later learning that his wife Barbara was the one who killed Carolyn, after she discovered he had resumed their affair. This parallels the ending of the book, which also reveals Barbara as the murderer after Rusty accuses her of the crime.
It would be reasonable, then, for viewers to assume that the series would go in the same direction. After all, Negga is an Oscar-nominated actress who can deliver a murder confessional monologue (pun intended), just like Bonnie Bedelia did in the original series. And for a moment in the final episode, it looks like the series is actually going in that direction. Rusty tells Barbara that he knows she killed Carolyn because he tracked her car, and saw that she was the one who drove to the Molto house the night the fire stick was left there. Barbara denies this, looking shocked. Rusty also admits that he was the one who returned to Carolyn’s house that night and found her dead. Thinking that Barbara was the one who killed her, he tied Carolyn up to distract attention from his wife being the murderer.
The series then takes a final twist, revealing that the killer is actually Rusty and Barbara’s daughter, Jaden. She interrupts her parents’ conversation, claiming that she was the one who drove her mother’s car to the Molto house. She also admits that she went to Carolyn’s house on the night of the murder to beg her to stop having an affair with her father. When Carolyn reveals that she is pregnant, Jaden becomes enraged and attacks her with a fire poker.
Negga finally has a stunning performance as a mother reacting to her daughter’s murder confession. Rusty tells them they will never speak of it again, and takes responsibility for the affair that led to it. The film ends with the family enjoying dinner together, closing this chapter of their lives.
Is the story over? Probably not. Presumed innocent It was originally released as a limited series, but after its huge success, Apple TV+ announced that it had renewed the series for a second season. It’s unclear whether any or many of the characters from the first season will return for the second season – all we know so far is that the new season will focus on a new case – but we have a feeling that more of the twists and turns will be back.
