Jealousy could be a motivation but seems too subtle a motivation for the audience to tease out and redirecting suspicion just doesn’t make sense here. Not only is Aaron the only person the entire town suspects, but even if Ellie’s father was under some suspicion what’s achieved by harassing Aaron’s father as he flees town?

We do know Ellie’s father didn’t like Aaron’s father (we learn this in the first bar scene) so perhaps his motivation lies there (along with some jealousy as you say) or maybe it has something to do with the movie trying to be faithful to the book and becoming unclear. None of these seem adequate answers however.

The scene is a good one and makes perfect sense before we learn Ellie’s father is her killer. Once we do, however, it becomes absurd and I just can’t understand why they used it. If they were trying to make the surprise of Ellie’s demise greater you’d think they could’ve devised something that wouldn’t seen to become nonsensical later.

Do you think I have a valid point here?

I assumed he saw it as a convenient way to redirect suspicion away from himself, and as there’s the heavy insinuation that he was abusing his own daughter I imagine he was resentful and jealous of Aaron’s relationship with her too.

Thought maybe you could clear this up for me.

Thanks, Del