Ep 17. A Clockwork Orange

In this episode of Copycat Killers, viewers are taken through the chilling true story behind the 1971 classic film, A Clockwork Orange. The film, based on the novel by Anthony Burgess, tells the story of a violent gang leader named Alex who is subjected to aversion therapy in an attempt to reform him. However, the film's impact goes beyond just entertainment value, and instead, inspired a gruesome string of copycat crimes.

Throughout the episode, interviews with researchers, experts, and family members of those involved in the crimes are used to piece together what led criminals to copy Alex's horrific acts. The episode explores how the film's scenes of ultraviolet violence, vivid color schemes, and use of classical music became cultural touchstones, inspiring disturbed individuals to act out their own violent fantasies.

One of the featured cases was that of Ali Larter, a young woman who lured a man to her home, tied him up, stabbed him repeatedly, and etched an "A" into his chest. Larter was caught after she bragged about the killing to a friend and ultimately confessed to authorities. Larter was sentenced to life in prison and has since claimed that she was compelled to commit the crime after watching A Clockwork Orange.

The episode also looks into the case of a group of teenagers from Leytonstone, London, who attempted to recreate scenes from the film by assaulting and robbing strangers on the street. One of the teens, who was a fan of the movie, claimed that he felt as if he was "in the cinema" as he watched the group inflict violence on their victims.

Viewers are also introduced to the case of Johnathan Schmitz, who was convicted of murdering his friend, Scott Amedure, after appearing on The Jenny Jones Show. Schmitz learned on-air that Amedure had a crush on him, leading to a confrontation that ended in Amedure's murder. Schmitz claimed that his actions were a response to feeling humiliated by Amedure's public declaration of affection, however, it was later revealed that he had also been watching A Clockwork Orange in the days leading up to the murder.

Other cases explored in the episode include the murder of an elderly woman by a teenage couple who were inspired by the film's use of masks and ultra-violence, as well as a crime spree committed in Sydney, Australia by a group of teenagers who also claimed to be fans of A Clockwork Orange.

The episode delves into the nature of copycat crimes and how the behavior of film characters can influence viewers. Experts explain that while the majority of people can distinguish between reality and fiction, some individuals with mental health issues or personality disorders may be particularly susceptible to the influence of media. The show also highlights the legal consequences of such crimes and the responsibility that filmmakers may have in the aftermath of such events.

Overall, the episode serves as a warning to viewers about the impact of violent media and the danger of glamorizing destructive behavior. While A Clockwork Orange remains a cult classic to this day, Copycat Killers- A Clockwork Orange shows that the film's cultural impact extends far beyond the silver screen, leading to a horrifying chapter in true crime history.