Wife Stalker Ending Explained: A Troubling Tale With a Shocking Turn

Directed by Elisabeth Röhm, Wife Stalker begins with a somewhat unsure footing. Rather than immediately gripping attention, the early presentation of characters sets a particular tone, which the story follows in its early stretch.

Joanna seems like a desperate housewife who is tired of being disregarded by her husband, Leo, especially as he starts paying attention to the charming and quite mysterious Piper. On his part, Leo’s actions from the beginning feel frustrating, as he tears his family apart just to pursue a fleeting attraction.

Meanwhile, Piper stands out as the most puzzling character, with her unclear motives and sly behaviour sparking curiosity about what she might be hiding. For a while, it appears her scheming and dangerous intentions might drive the entire story.

However, the story changes direction entirely at a particular moment in the film. This twist, which completely flips the expectations set earlier, becomes the strongest part of the entire plot, as it fills in many earlier gaps that didn’t make much sense.

So, even though Joanna’s character and her side of the story may not immediately hold attention, the turning point makes the wait feel justified. Whether or not viewers will stick around long enough to see this twist is another issue.

Still, the acting is solid, and the premise gives room for suspense and entertainment, making Wife Stalker a gripping drama that many may appreciate.

Wife Stalker Ending: Did Piper Kill Her Ex-Husbands?

Joanna’s involvement takes a sharp turn after the tense night at Leo’s house, when she launches an attack against Piper. From the moment Piper steps into the Drakes’ lives, Joanna cannot stand her.

Her frustration stems not only from the fact that Piper took her place beside Leo and the children, but also from a deep-rooted suspicion that something isn’t right about the woman.

As she starts investigating, Joanna finds out that Piper has been married before, and both of her former husbands experienced dangerous and suspicious incidents. Her first marriage ended when her husband Eric, fell during a hiking trip and went into a coma.

The second one ended in tragedy when her husband, Matthew, and his daughter Mia died in a boating incident, with Piper being the only one left alive. Although the police did not press any charges, Matthew’s ex-wife and Mia’s mother still hold her responsible.

Joanna’s meeting with Eric and his mother adds more weight to the belief that Piper may have had a hand in these past events. Although Joanna’s disturbing past ends up becoming a central part of the story, she still refuses to let go of Piper. Even while locked up, she calls to tell Piper she’s not giving up.

In response, Piper reminds her that prison has taken away any control she had, and now she can do whatever she wants with the Drake family, just as she may have done with her former husbands. However, she doesn’t realise that Leo is quietly listening on another phone line, meaning she unknowingly confesses her intentions directly to him.

What Happened to Leo’s Wife?

The shocking truth behind Joanna’s actions begins to come out after her armed outburst at Leo’s house. At first, her anger towards Leo’s betrayal feels valid. Most would sympathise with a woman who appears to be pushed aside in her own home.

There are also questions around legal matters, especially concerning custody. But those doubts are cleared when Joanna’s mother visits her in prison. During this conversation, when Joanna brings up Leo and the kids, her mother insists that she was never actually part of their family.

What becomes clear is that Joanna wasn’t Leo’s wife at all. She only worked as his assistant and sometimes helped with things around the house. Olivia was Leo’s actual wife and the mother of Evie and Aaron. Sadly, Olivia struggled with deep emotional issues, which began to affect everyone at home.

Joanna, resentful of Olivia, blamed her for wasting the family life she had. Over time, she tried to take over Olivia’s role emotionally and then became obsessed with taking her place completely. As Olivia started pushing back against Joanna’s presence, the situation worsened.

Eventually, Joanna drowned Olivia in a bathtub. Even though young Evie saw it happen, Joanna convinced her to keep it a secret and made it appear as if Olivia took her own life. Afterward, she stepped fully into the family’s life, pretending to be the mother and partner she never actually was.

Yet, Leo was never romantically involved with her. The whole relationship existed only in Joanna’s mind.

Does Joanna Get Her Family Back? What Happens to the Drakes?

At the beginning, it’s easy to feel sorry for Joanna because it seems like she’s been wronged. But once it’s revealed that she created a false story in her head about being part of Leo’s family, that sympathy starts to disappear.

Her behaviour, including trying to take the kids away from Leo, clearly puts them in danger. Yet, her threat isn’t the only one that the Drakes are facing—Piper’s presence brings its level of danger. From the start, Piper’s goal is to get rid of Leo and his children so she can have their money.

That being said, Piper changes her mind once she realizes that she could stay and be part of the family. Even though the children initially reject her, they slowly start to warm up. Leo, on the other hand, falls for her almost immediately, giving her a chance at something real.

But she makes it clear to Joanna that she’s willing to destroy them if they don’t treat her the way she wants. Fortunately, Leo hears all of this during the call. With this information, Leo is in a position to protect his children and himself by taking legal action against Piper.

Her dangerous tendencies seem manageable if dealt with under strict conditions. If Leo controls the situation on his terms, he may be able to keep her away. Still, this doesn’t mean he’ll go back to Joanna. The Drakes will likely cut ties with both women to protect themselves and prevent more harm in the future.