who is the black hood in riverdale

Hal Cooper is the Black Hood in Riverdale.

The Reveal

Hal Cooper, Betty and Polly's father (portrayed by Lochlyn Munro), was unmasked as the true Black Hood in Season 2's finale. He confessed to Betty that his actions stemmed from a twisted family legacy—his father was the Riverdale Reaper—and a promise to his mother to cleanse the town of "sinners." Betty's Jubilee speech about Riverdale doing better ironically reignited his violent crusade.

Key Victims and Motive

Hal targeted northsiders he deemed hypocrites or criminals:

• Shot Fred Andrews at Pop's.

• Murdered Geraldine Grundy in Greendale.

• Attacked Moose Mason and Midge Klump at Lovers' Lane.

His manifesto called Riverdale a "town of hypocrites, degenerates, and criminals," with him as the punishing "wolf." He blackmailed Joseph Svenson (the janitor) as a decoy Black Hood to throw off suspicion.

Fan Theories and Build-Up

Before the reveal, fans speculated wildly on forums like Reddit and Buzzfeed:

• Some pointed to Hal's physical match, knowledge of Polly's location, and presence at key events like the Carrie play.

• Others guessed survivalist Doiley or the janitor, fueled by mid-season misdirects.

The mystery dominated Season 2 discussions, with YouTube theories dissecting clues like the cipher calls to Betty.

"This is the Black Hood... Riverdale is not innocent."

Later Impact

Hal resurfaced in Season 3's Gryphons & Gargoyles arc as a jailed antagonist, inspiring copycats and Southside admiration for "sticking it to northsiders." By February 2026, no major new developments or reboots have shifted this canon—it's still peak Riverdale twist territory, endlessly debated in fan wikis and recaps.

TL;DR: Hal Cooper, Betty's dad, driven by puritan rage and family trauma.

Information gathered from public forums or data available on the internet and portrayed here.