Red Dead Redemption Strange Man’s Identity Finally Revealed

Starring in both Red Dead Redemption and Red Dead Redemption 2, The Strange Man is one of the game’s biggest mysteries.

Now, after long last, it seems as though some theories about his true identity were close to the mark all along.

First appearing in Red Dead Redemption, The Strange Man can be encountered by John Martson with the former seemingly knowing quite a bit about our protagonist. Appearing on a hilltop, The Strange Man reveals that he is a sort of 'accountant' but offers no other information about himself.

This has led players to theorising about his true identity. Could he be Death Incarnate, the Devil, the Grim Reaper, God himself?

Despite also appearing briefly in Red Dead Redemption 2, The Strange Man’s true identity has never been revealed, but according to a recent interview with Rockstar co-founder Dan Houser, players were pretty much on the nose when they offered their theories over the years.

Rockstar Games

"He came out as I was trying to come up with ideas for [Strangers] as just this weird character, and then we built a bit into the story where he would unlock as you worked through and be a commentary on what you were doing," Houser explained on the Lex Fridman Podcast.

"So, he was meant to be a kind of manifestation of your shadow, your karma, the Devil.”

Houser then went on to explain how this character was fleshed out even more in Red Dead Redemption 2.

"Then we built out his backstory over time, and in Red Dead 2, you could interact with him again - or not really interact with him, but he was there.

And [Charles Châtenay] was meant to be, something I suppose any creative is scared of, an artist who kind of sold his soul to the Devil, and that slowly revealed itself."

We owe a lot to Dan Houser's creativity (Chelsea Guglielmino/Getty Images)

The devil on your shoulder

So The Strange Man is really there to test your mortality, a shadow made real based on an entity who could be following us through our very own lives.

"Does he know this about everybody? Is he following you, or is he able, because of the pact he's made with evil forces, to do this for everybody? I don't think we necessarily ever clarify that," Houser continued.

This could also mean that The Strange Man may just appear in Red Dead Redemption 3 if it ever comes to pass and if so, we could finally learn more about his true identity and what he actually wants from our protagonists.

Until then, it is still nice to get some closure on such an enigmatic character and just goes to show how much thought Rockstar puts into even the smallest of roles.