Watch The Young Poisoner's Handbook

The Young Poisoner's Handbook is a disturbing yet captivating British biographical film that delves into the mind of a young man who becomes obsessed with poisoning those around him. The movie is based on the true story of Graham Young, who was one of the most notorious serial killers in British history. Hugh O'Conor plays the lead character, Graham Young, and does an excellent job of portraying the eerie and unsettling personality of the young man. The movie follows Graham's life from a young age, leading up to his eventual imprisonment for poisoning colleagues at his workplace.

The film opens with Young as a child, experimenting with chemicals in his bedroom. He's fixated on learning about the effects of different poisons, and his fascination only grows as he gets older. His obsession with poisons causes him to be expelled from school after he mistakenly poisons a fellow student.

After being expelled, Young gets a job at a photo development lab, where he begins to experiment further with poisons. In his free time, he reads extensively on the subject and begins to test out his concoctions on unsuspecting victims. His desire to poison people seems to stem from a deep-seated anger towards those around him, and he becomes increasingly ruthless in his efforts.

The film does an excellent job of showing the inner workings of Graham's mind, with his thoughts often being narrated throughout the movie. It adds an eerie sense of foreboding to the film, as the audience is given a glimpse into the mind of a psychopath.

As the story progresses, we see Graham's obsession with poisons drive him to commit increasingly heinous acts. The tension in the film builds to a climax as Graham's coworkers begin to fall ill, and suspicion falls on him. The police eventually catch him in the act, leading to his arrest and imprisonment.

Hugh O'Conor's portrayal of Graham Young is truly remarkable. He captures the character's cold, calculating nature, while also showing glimpses of his vulnerability and humanity. Antony Sher and Tobias Arnold also put in strong performances as the doctors tasked with trying to understand Young's twisted mind.

The film is shot in a bleak, dreary style that perfectly captures the mood of the story. The muted colors and gray landscapes create a sense of unease that permeates the film. The use of close-ups and tight framing gives the audience an up-close-and-personal view of Graham's actions, further heightening the tension.

The Young Poisoner's Handbook is a macabre and harrowing film that offers a chilling insight into the mind of a disturbed individual. It's a sobering reminder of the darkness that can exist within even the most seemingly ordinary people. The film is not for the faint of heart, but for those willing to push through the discomfort, it offers a fascinating and thought-provoking experience.

The Young Poisoner's Handbook is a 1995 comedy with a runtime of 1 hour and 33 minutes. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 7.0.