HBO’s The White Lotus Season 3, which premiered on February 16, 2025, has once again hooked viewers with its signature blend of satire, luxury, and a tantalizing murder mystery. Set at the opulent White Lotus resort in Thailand, the season kicked off with a flash-forward: gunshots ring out, a body floats in the water, and spa manager Belinda’s son Zion (Nicholas Duvernay) prays for his mother’s safety. As of April 1, 2025, with five of eight episodes aired, the identity of the killer—and the victim—remains a delicious enigma. Creator Mike White’s knack for subverting expectations has fans buzzing with theories, from vengeful humans to rogue monkeys. Who’s pulling the trigger in this twisted tale of privilege and peril? Let’s unpack every relevant theory swirling around Season 3’s killer, based on clues, character arcs, and White’s mischievous storytelling.
The Setup: A Murder Foretold
Season 3 wastes no time planting the murder seed. Episode 1 opens with Zion meditating by the koi pond when gunfire erupts, scattering guests and monkeys alike. He wades into the water, begging, “Please don’t let it be my mom,” as an unidentified body drifts past—brunette hair a blurry hint. Flash back a week, and we meet the ensemble: the dysfunctional Ratliff family—Timothy (Jason Isaacs), Victoria (Parker Posey), and their kids Saxon (Patrick Schwarzenegger), Lochlan (Sam Nivola), and Piper (Sadie Sink); Rick (Walton Goggins) and Chelsea (Aimee Lou Wood), chasing closure; “Victory Lap” blondes Laurie (Carrie Coon), Jaclyn (Michelle Monaghan), and Kate (Leslie Bibb); Greg Hunt (Jon Gries), now “Gary,” with girlfriend Chloe (Charlotte Le Bon); and returning spa guru Belinda (Natasha Rothwell). Add a bumbling security guard, Gaitok (Tayme Thapthimthong), and a gun-toting Russian, Valentin (Arnas Fedaravičius), and the stage is set for chaos.
White’s promised a “darker, grander” season (Time), weaving themes of death, spirituality, and ethical decay. With a robbery, a missing gun, and simmering tensions, the killer could be anyone—or anything. Here are the top theories, ranked from wild to plausible.
Theory 1: The Monkeys Did It
Yes, monkeys. This fan-favorite theory posits that Thailand’s notorious macaques—seen lurking in trees and statues—snag a gun and accidentally fire it. TikTok creator Jade (@burtsbeeswhore) argues White loves “silly, accidental” deaths—like Armond’s stabbing in Season 1 or Tanya’s yacht tumble in Season 2. Episode 1’s “monkey mind” Buddhist reference and the primates’ omnipresence fuel this idea. Vulture notes a 2022 macaque rampage in Japan, proving they’re capable of chaos. Imagine Gaitok’s stolen gun (Episode 4) abandoned in a panic, grabbed by a monkey, and—bang!—a guest goes down.
Plausible? Maybe. Michelle Monaghan debunked it on Jimmy Kimmel Live (March 27, 2025), saying, “Guys, the monkeys didn’t do it!” But White’s curveballs—like Tanya taking out her killers—keep this alive. Victim? Could be anyone caught in the crossfire—Chelsea, perhaps, given her “things come in threes” death omen (Cosmopolitan).
Theory 2: Greg Hunt—“Gary”—Strikes Again
Greg’s back, and he’s shadier than ever. After orchestrating Tanya’s Season 2 death (via Quentin), he’s in Thailand living off her fortune, posing as “Gary” with Chloe. Belinda clocks him in Episode 3, Googling Tanya’s demise and realizing he’s a fugitive. Life & Style pegs him as the prime suspect: he’s a proven killer-by-proxy, and his icy reaction to Chloe’s fling with Saxon and Lochlan (Episode 6) screams motive. X posts like @AnthonyShannon2’s suggest he’ll target Belinda to silence her.
Why it works: Greg’s got means (money, connections), motive (self-preservation), and a gun-happy vibe. The opening shots could be him fleeing after Belinda calls the cops (ScreenRant). Victim? Belinda’s the obvious pick—Zion’s prayer hints at her peril—but Chloe’s a wildcard if Greg’s jealousy snaps. White might swerve, though—Greg’s too obvious after Tanya.
Theory 3: Timothy Ratliff’s Desperate Last Stand
Timothy, the Ratliff patriarch, is unraveling. Episode 4 reveals his money-laundering empire’s collapse—Kenny’s cooperating with the Feds, his assets are frozen, and jail looms. He steals Gaitok’s gun, popping Victoria’s Lorazepam like candy (ScreenRant). PureWow theorizes he’ll lash out, but Life & Style suggests an accidental kill—maybe a smoothie laced with the poisonous fruit Pam mentions in Episode 1.
Why it fits: Timothy’s “I’d rather die” rant (Episode 4) signals desperation, and White loves flawed rich guys meeting grim fates. The gun ties to the opening shots. Victim? Victoria’s a contender—spousal murder’s dark enough for White—or Saxon, if Timothy’s shame over the brothers’ boat hookup (Episode 6) boils over. TVLine ranks Saxon high after his identity crisis.
Theory 4: Gaitok Proves Himself
Security guard Gaitok’s a punching bag—robbed, mocked, and now gunless after Timothy’s theft. Boss Fabian pressures him to “man up” (Vulture), and Mook (Lisa of Blackpink) eggs him on about violence (Episode 7 preview). PureWow wonders if he’ll shoot to impress, accidentally killing someone. Esquire bets on Valentin as the target, given his robbery ties.
Why it’s compelling: Gaitok’s arc screams redemption—or tragic overreach. The gun’s his ticket to glory, and White loves irony. Victim? Valentin fits (robbery revenge), but Belinda or a Ratliff could catch a stray bullet. SoapCentral notes his Episode 1 horniness could spiral into chaos.
Theory 5: Belinda’s Justice Backfires
Belinda’s out for blood—or justice—after spotting Greg. ScreenRant suggests she’ll confront him, but PureWow flips it: she kills him, surprising everyone. Her spa dreams, crushed by Tanya, fuel her rage, and Zion’s safety adds stakes. Elle fears she’ll die instead, but her OG status might spare her.
Why it holds: Belinda’s quiet strength could snap, and White loves underdog twists. She’d need a gun—maybe Gaitok’s?—but her smarts could pull it off. Victim? Greg’s the target, tying Seasons 1-3 together. Jennifer Coolidge’s “Greg needs to go down” plea (Deadline) might sway White.
Theory 6: Saxon or Lochlan—Brotherly Bloodshed
The Ratliff brothers’ incestuous boat kiss (Episode 6) shocked viewers—Vulture calls it the season’s peak. Saxon’s spiraling—jobless, idolizing Timothy—while Lochlan’s oddly calm. TVLine theorizes Saxon shoots Lochlan in a rage, or vice versa, over shame or rejection. StyleCaster links them to The Staircase, hinting at familial murder.
Why it clicks: The trio motif (three Ratliffs, three seasons) and their “see no evil” intro scream symbolism (PureWow). The gunshots could be a sibling showdown. Victim? Lochlan’s innocence makes him vulnerable, but Saxon’s volatility could flip him into the body bag.
Theory 7: Rick’s Revenge Goes Wrong
Rick’s hunting Jim Hollinger, the resort co-owner he blames for his father’s death (ScreenRant). Episode 6 ends with him and Frank (Sam Rockwell) at Jim’s Bangkok mansion, armed and ready. Time wonders if he’ll kill Jim, but a twist—Jim’s his dad?—could derail it. Cosmopolitan sees Chelsea dying to save him.
Why it’s solid: Rick’s unpredictability (Goggins’ forte) and the gun from Frank fit the opening. Victim? Jim’s off-screen, so Chelsea or Rick himself could take the fall—White loves tragic irony. Elle doubts Rick’s a killer, though.
The Verdict: Complexity Rules
As Episode 5 airs, no theory’s locked in—White’s too sly. The gunshots might be a red herring (Life & Style); the fruit could kill instead. Multiple deaths aren’t off the table—Season 2 had three. Betches bets on a “trio” twist: three killers, three victims. Greg, Timothy, and Gaitok could each claim a life—Belinda, Victoria, Valentin—tying the resort’s chaos together.
What’s the point? The White Lotus isn’t about whodunit—it’s about why. Season 3’s spiritual lens (Time) probes privilege, pain, and accountability. The killer’s less crucial than the mirror White holds up. Still, with three episodes left (finale April 6), X buzz (@DEADLINE) and fan sleuthing keep the theories alive. Rewatch, speculate, and brace for a swerve—this killer’s reveal will be anything but simple.
