Tyler Perry's Duplicity ending explained: Who’s responsible for Rodney’s death?

Tyler Perry's Duplicity premiered on March 20, 2025, on Amazon Prime Video, directed and written by Tyler Perry. The film is produced by Perry alongside Jamall Ellzy, Will Arneu, and Angi Bones.

Focusing on race, police violence, and the quest for justice, Perry, well-known for addressing pertinent social concerns, creates a suspenseful narrative of corruption, dishonesty, and betrayal.

The story centers on Marley Wells, a gifted attorney who is rocked to her very core upon the murder of her close friend Rodney Blackburn, an innocent Black man shot by a police officer.

Marley finds a web of lies as she probes the case and realizes that the reality behind Rodney's death is far more complex than first thought.

Disclaimer: This article contains major spoilers. Reader's discretion is advised.

Marley's investigation into Tyler Perry's Duplicity uncovers a plot that leads to a shocking discovery: Rodney's death was planned by those closest to him, including his wife Fela and her helpers.

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Rodney's murder mystery in Tyler Perry's Duplicity

Rodney's murder mystery: A still from Tyler Perry's Duplicity (Image via Prime Video)

The final moments of Tyler Perry's Duplicity reveal the true masterminds behind Rodney’s tragic death. At first, it seems as though rookie officer Caleb Kaine's racist behavior led to Rodney's death.

But Marley, tenacious in her quest for justice, finds a horrifying reality: Caleb was only a pawn in a well-planned scheme involving Tony, Fela, her lover Kevin, and Rodney's wife.

The conspiracy begins with Caleb, who, under the false belief that Rodney was armed, shoots him during a routine police stop. While the circumstances appear to point to Caleb’s racism, Marley’s investigations unveil that the real instigators were close friends and family.

Fela, Kevin, and Tony all had motives, stemming from personal betrayals and greed.

The last twist reveals that Fela, Kevin, and Tony planned the events to make Rodney's death seem accidental, so ensuring Caleb would be blamed and enabling them to get a sizable payback from the city. Caleb is finally cleared of all charges, and the trio's dubious behavior is made public.

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The web of deception: Who was involved?

The web of deception: A still from Tyler Perry's Duplicity (Image via Prime Video)

The death of Rodney Blackburn is initially painted as the result of police misconduct, with Caleb Kaine being the focal point. Marley starts to wonder, though, that not everything is as it seems as she probes the case further.

She discovers the first clue when she finds out Rodney had been cheating on his wife, Fela, with Anna. Although this affair does not excuse Rodney's death, it is evident that his personal life was tense and full of treacheries.

Marley's boyfriend, Tony, likewise felt connected to Rodney's death. Apart from being a former police officer sacked for misbehavior, he also had a secret relationship with Anna, the lady Rodney was seeing.

Tony's jealousy and wrath over this affair set him on a further difficult path. Tony was clearly a vital member of the conspiracy since his motivations were firmly anchored in his personal problems.

Additionally, Fela’s involvement becomes more sinister as it’s revealed that she was having an affair with Kevin, one of Rodney’s closest friends. Working together, the three came up with a scheme to have Caleb serve as the death scapegoat for Rodney.

They relied on public opinion of racial profiling and police violence to make sure their plan would operate without generating suspicion.

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The shocking twist: What happened to Marley?

What happened to Marley?: A still from Tyler Perry's Duplicity (Image via Prime Video)

As Marley inches closer to the truth, she finds herself in grave danger. To hide their tracks, the trio, Fela, Kevin, and Tony, decide to kill Marley. In a tense sequence, the conspirators kidnap Marley, sedate her, then board a boat. They intend to drown her, so making sure she never reveals their lies.

However, Marley’s survival instincts kick in. She manages to escape from her restraints and swims back to the boat. In a dramatic sequence, she uses a flare gun to shoot and incapacitate each of the conspirators, one by one.

Fela, Kevin, and Tony are left injured, with Marley ensuring that they would be arrested and face justice for their roles in Rodney’s murder.

The confrontation on the boat brings the culmination of Marley’s relentless pursuit of the truth. Despite the odds stacked against her, she succeeds in turning the tables on those who thought they could silence her.

The film ends with Marley’s resilience standing as a testament to her unwavering commitment to justice.

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What happens to Caleb Kaine?

What happens to Caleb Kaine?: A still from Tyler Perry's Duplicity (Image via Prime Video)

After the truth comes to light, Caleb Kaine’s name is cleared. He had been unjustly accused of being a racist cop who killed Rodney out of malice.

Marley helps him reclaim his reputation, revealing that the shooting was a tragic mistake and that Caleb had tried to save Rodney’s life.

With the help of Anna, Caleb uncovers the full scope of the conspiracy, which ultimately leads to the exposure of Fela, Kevin, and Tony’s involvement.

Caleb’s story is finally told, and he goes on TV to share the truth, restoring his name in the public eye. The once-painted villain is today understood as a man who made an honest error under influence of people with more sinister goals.

His involvement in the inquiry moves from suspect to victim of a more extensive conspiracy.

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Stay tuned for more updates on Tyler Perry's Duplicity as the year progresses. Tyler Perry's Duplicity is now available to stream on Prime Video.