Who Is The Trawler in ‘The Shards’? Theories Fans Are Exploring Right Now

Ryan Murphy has always been open about his killers, but ‘The Shards’ is taking a different approach. The FX series centers on a group of students at the prestigious Buckley Prep School in Los Angeles during 1981. Their lives take a dark turn with the arrival of newcomer Robert Mallory, coinciding with a series of brutal crimes linked to a masked figure known as the Trawler.

Adapted from Bret Easton Ellis’ semi-autobiographical novel, the show captures the essence of 1980s Los Angeles. It follows privileged high school seniors as they grapple with identity, sex, jealousy, obsession, and the sinister aspects of American adolescence. The burning question among fans is clear: who exactly is the Trawler, and will ‘The Shards’ provide an answer?

In the novel, the Trawler’s pattern includes silent phone calls, rearranged belongings in victims’ homes, abductions, and grotesque displays of the bodies afterward. This escalating tension is mirrored in the show’s early episodes, closely following the source material.

However, Ellis never resolves the mystery in the book. Readers are left in the dark about the Trawler’s identity, the true assailant of Susan and her boyfriend Thom, and the circumstances surrounding Robert’s death. This ambiguity has made ‘The Shards’ a captivating and frustrating thriller.

In the novel’s climax, police uncover the remains of one of the Trawler’s victims in a house belonging to Robert’s uncle, a place Robert often visited. A note sent to the police by the killer claims the murders were not directly linked to Robert but were instead sacrifices made to him, whom the Trawler referred to as ‘The God.’

One of the most persistent fan theories suggests that Bret Easton Ellis himself could be the Trawler. Some readers argue that Bret serves as an unreliable narrator due to his drug use and tendency to dramatize events, implying he may have crafted the story to portray himself as both hero and victim.

His intimate knowledge of certain murder scenes and involvement in Robert’s death have made him a suspect for many. Others interpret the book’s title as a metaphor for the fragmented pieces of Bret’s psyche. This theory gains traction when considering what happens to Susan.

After Susan and Thom are attacked by a masked man, who flees after Susan bites him, Bret later confronts Robert in his penthouse. Their encounter escalates into a knife fight that results in Robert’s death, which Bret claims was a suicide. When Bret’s version of events is discredited and his popularity wanes, Susan notices a bite mark on Bret’s arm in the same spot where she bit her attacker, leading her to suspect Bret was the Trawler.

Robert Mallory is central to nearly every theory, even those not implicating Bret. The Trawler seems to idolize Robert throughout the narrative, raising questions about the killer’s true connection to him.

Not everyone believes the killer is from Bret’s inner circle. Some fans propose a theory involving an entirely different individual with no ties to Bret’s friends, someone who became obsessed with Robert independently.

The cast is just as intrigued by the mystery as the audience. Actor Daniel Dale, who read Ellis’ novel prior to filming, mentioned that the cast shared their own theories on set, with some speculating that his character Ryan Vaughn could be the culprit. Dale initially suspected Steven Reinhardt, Terry’s assistant, played by Jordan Roth.

Other cast members, however, are less eager to uncover the truth. Owen Painter, who portrays Matt Kellner, expressed that he believes the killer’s identity may not even matter, preferring to remain in the dark.

The uncertainty surrounding the show raises questions about whether it will reveal the Trawler’s identity. Ryan Murphy’s serial killer narratives typically unfold from the murderer’s perspective, leaving little room for mystery. Yet, ‘The Shards’ has flipped that formula, making both characters and viewers detectives.

Even those closest to the production are intentionally kept in the dark. Actor Chris Rigney shared with TV Insider that he has his own theory, but Murphy has told him he is incorrect and has not disclosed the Trawler’s true identity to any cast member.

There remains a possibility that the finale could alter everything the book left unresolved. The season finale of ‘The Shards’ is set to air on September 2, though early indications suggest the show may not deviate from the novel’s choice to leave the killer unnamed. Whether Murphy ultimately reveals the Trawler or leaves fans in perpetual debate, the mystery has already become the series’ defining feature.

So, who do you believe is truly behind the Trawler’s mask—Bret, someone from Robert’s circle, or a stranger yet to be introduced?