Watch I Killed John Lennon

I Killed John Lennon is a biographical drama film from 2005, directed by Andrew Piddington. The movie revolves around Mark David Chapman, the man who assassinated ex-Beatles member John Lennon. The story is based on Chapman's confessional memoir of the same name, in which he details his descent into mental illness and ultimately, his murder of the iconic musician.

The film starts with Chapman, played by John Simm, in the days leading up to the murder. Chapman had become increasingly obsessed with Lennon, convinced that his actions would make him famous. His behavior becomes erratic as he prepares to carry out the shooting, and the audience is taken on a journey through his psyche as he spirals further into delusion.

Throughout the movie, we see flashbacks to Chapman's childhood and youth that appear to shed light on the reasons for his disturbed state of mind. We learn about his troubled relationship with his father and how he became fixated on the idea of fame and fortune as a way to make up for his lack of self-worth. His lifelong search for meaning and purpose seems to culminate in his decision to kill Lennon.

As Chapman travels to New York to carry out the assassination, his internal struggle becomes even more apparent. He begins to question whether what he is about to do is right, but his mental illness and feelings of persecution ultimately overpower his conscience. Chapman becomes detached from reality and is convinced that killing Lennon is his destiny - a way to make him important in the eyes of the world.

The film deals with heavy themes of mental illness, obsession, and celebrity culture. It explores the idea of what drives people to commit violent acts and questions the notion of fame as a measure of success. The movie also examines the celebrity obsession that seems to pervade our culture and the dangerous consequences it can have.

John Simm delivers a convincing and haunting portrayal of Chapman, perfectly capturing his descent into madness. The supporting cast also delivers strong performances, particularly Peter Cullen as the psychiatrist tasked with evaluating Chapman's mental state. The film's cinematography is also notable for its use of dark colors and shadows, adding to the ominous feel of the movie.

While the topic of the film is undoubtedly disturbing, it is handled with sensitivity and respect for the victims. The movie raises important questions about mental health and the criminal justice system, and the audience is left to ponder the implications of Chapman's actions long after the credits roll.

Overall, I Killed John Lennon is a well-made and thought-provoking film. It takes a deep dive into the mind of a killer, and while it doesn't excuse his actions, it does offer some insight into what led him down such a dark path. It is a compelling exploration of mental illness, obsession, and celebrity, and is definitely worth a watch for those interested in true-crime stories.

I Killed John Lennon is a 2005 documentary with a runtime of 1 hour and 5 minutes. It has received moderate reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 6.0.