Who Is Natalie's Dad In 'Cape Fear'? The 3 Biggest Theories, Explained

If you're caught up with Apple TV's Cape Fear, then you know nothing is straightforward in this show. From Max Cady's (Javier Bardem) involvement in his wife's murder to the big secret Anna (Amy Adams) and Tom (Patrick Wilson) are desperately trying to conceal, answers aren't doled out easily. The same is true for Natalie (Lily Collias) and the identity of her father. 

According to Anna, Tom is Natalie's stepfather and Anna's ex-fiancé, Paul (Jay Huguley), is her biological father. However, Natalie starts to have her doubts that Anna is telling her the truth, especially when Max Cady starts whispering in her ear that her mother might be lying. 

So, who is Natalie's birth father in Cape Fear? Here are the three major suspects right now, listed from least to most likely… at least in my opinion.

3. Paul

Paul is the easiest answer to consider because it's the story that's been maintained by Anna throughout Natalie's entire life thus far. Still, there's something pretty fishy about the whole thing. According to public knowledge, Anna and Tom started dating after Max Cady's trial, where they worked against each other, with Anna representing Cady and Tom representing the victims/state. 

However, a lot of people seem to wonder if Anna and Tom's love affair actually started during the trial (or maybe even before). Not only would that be a huge ethics nightmare, but it could mean that Natalie is actually Tom's biological daughter (see more below).

2. Tom

Right now, Natalie seems to be the most suspicious that Tom could be her biological father. While it would certainly be cruel for Anna to keep that secret from both of them, it would make sense. After all, if Tom got Anna pregnant at the very beginning or right before Cady's trial, it could suggest they conspired to get Cady put away. And considering Cady is allegedly innocent, that's a true legal and ethical problem for them. 

Thus, it makes sense that Anna would want to keep that secret at all costs. If true, though, it'd be a big psychological mess for Natalie to unravel. Her relationship with Tom has always hinged on him just being her stepfather and her feeling somewhat estranged from him because of it. So, if he is her biological father, that's going to require a reevaluation of their entire relationship—from both sides. 

1. Max

If you ask me, this has been my theory almost from Cape Fear's first episode. The timing of Anna's pregnancy always seemed suspicious. Plus, Cady keeps hinting that he and Anna were very close at the beginning of their "professional" relationship. However, things changed between them when his wife's murder, as opposed to disappearance, came into play. Also, let's not forget that weird kiss that happened in the park earlier in the season, where Cady leaned in with both forcefulness and familiarity. It was undoubtedly a disturbing scene, but one that seems to suggest that something more existed between Cady and Anna all those years ago—something maybe even romantic or, at least, sexual that could've resulted in Anna's pregnancy. 

Even in Cape Fear's latest episode, Season 1, Episode 6, Cady seems to be implying, once again, that his relationship with Anna extended beyond just being his lawyer. When Natalie asks him about what happened between him and her parents, Cady replies, "Ask your mother. If you don't get an answer, then ask me."

Clearly, Cady knows the juicy secret that Anna (and Tom) are so desperate to keep hidden. The question is does that just extend to Anna and Tom having a romantic relationship during the trial? Or is the real secret that Cady and Anna were much more involved than anyone actually knew? Then again, this whole thing could just be another way Cady plans on manipulating the Bowens.