John Lee is the main antagonist of the 2011 crime thriller film The River Murders. Lee is a vengeful serial killer targeting Detective Jack Vernon, whose casual and persona relationships play a major role in Lee's murders and rage.
He's portrayed by Michael Rodrick.
Biography[]
Lee is the son of Detective Vernon and Vernon's first girlfriend, Rebecca. Vernon tried to make Rebecca have an abortion, but she never went through with aborting Lee. After Lee was born and grew into an adult, he learned the truth about Vernon from his mother, growing enraged from Vernon's abandonment and trying to keep Lee from even being born. It was only worsened when lee found out Vernon had a history of women he had relationships with, which left Lee finding Vernon unfaithful and devaluing of the people he got close to. Lee concocted an elaborate revenge plan through a killing spree of Vernon's lovers, in the hopes of framing him or otherwise destroying his life. Lee used the cover of priesthood so he wouldn't be a suspect.
Lee attracted the police's attention by leaving the first woman he killed in a river, fully naked. Vernon immediately recognized her, but despite his efforts to try and keep him from the case, the FBI takes jurisdiction and bars Vernon for his own good. Lee's murders of women continue, each one giving information on the next woman he intended to kill. Vernon puts in his own efforts in a rogue position outside his job, going back in his past to find answers. When he figures out Rebecca is the missing link he leads, he realizes Lee is the killer and Lee's motives. Lee abducts Vernon's wife, Ana, with the intention of killing her last. Lee finds out Ana's pregnant as well, conflicted by his own history of his mother's pregnancy with him. Lee spares Ana out of empathy, then demands Vernon meet Lee by the river. In a standoff where Vernon holds Lee at gunpoint, Lee shows Vernon Ana's ring to get him to back off long enough. Lee then lies he killed Ana and taunts Vernon with the knowledge that Ana's pregnant, all so Lee dies instead of goes to prison. The ploy works, as Vernon shoots Lee in a rage, his fate left ambiguous at the end.
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