Alien Boy: The Life and Death of James Chasse

2013

1h 30m

Documentary

Crime

Drama

List

100%

Tomatometer

5 Reviews

90%

Popcornmeter

Fewer than 50 Ratings

The death and life of James Chasse changes a city.

Emilly Prado

Bitch Media

The film is a chilling, intimate look at one case of police brutality and the flawed justice system that allows officers to act with impunity.

Jan 15, 2021

Full Review

Jeff Albertson

Seattle Times

Despite the tragedy of the events, the film is inspiring in that it shows that witnesses and the public are willing to speak out in order to hold police and elected officials accountable.

Rated: 4/4

Mar 6, 2014

Full Review

Richard Propes

TheIndependentCritic.com

I find myself blown away by the thoroughness and emotional resonance that Lindstrom has built into the film.

Rated: 4.0/4.0

Aug 31, 2020

Full Review

Kathy Fennessy

The Stranger (Seattle, WA)

There wasn't as much music content in the documentary as I had hoped, but there's value here for viewers interested in the intersection of the police, their training, and the way we treat the mentally ill.

Aug 22, 2017

Full Review

Jamie S. Rich

Oregonian

A lot of what we see and hear is stomach turning. Yet "Alien Boy" attempts to be fair. The judgments come from without, rather than within.

Rated: A

Feb 21, 2013

Full Review

Read all reviews

Audience Member

I was living on the streets of Portland when this happened. I had mental illnesses, and it scared me to death. James Chasse had housing, what would they do to me?

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

02/20/23

Full Review

Audience Member

http://seattletimes.com/html/entertainment/2023062771_alienboyxml.html

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

02/11/23

Full Review

Audience Member

Great, horribly tragic documentary.

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

01/31/23

Full Review

Audience Member

Great film. Saw it twice, once in Montana and again in Oregon.

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

02/19/23

Full Review

Audience Member

Be prepared for a visceral experience. Indelibly seared into my soul. Humanity; continue to nurture its strength, its potential for healing. We must recognize the fabric of healing, of understanding the power in the darkness of our souls. This movie does not let us escape this knowing. The impact of inhumanity rings clear.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

02/19/23

Full Review

Audience Member

This documentary literally changed the way I look at this city of ours. I never imagined something like this could happen in the stark light of day on a crowded street. This film was hard to watch, but utterly important and enlightening.

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

02/26/23

Full Review

Read all reviews

Read More

Read Less

POST RATING

WRITE A REVIEW

EDIT REVIEW

Brian Lindstrom

Director

Matthew Davis

Screenwriter

Jason Renaud

Producer

Andrew Saunderson

Producer

Brian Lindstrom

Producer

Mike Quinn

Executive Producer

Show Less Cast & Crew

Show More Cast & Crew

Soaked in Bleach

30%

76%

Soaked in Bleach

Private Violence

92%

87%

Private Violence

A Very British Gangster

71%

64%

A Very British Gangster

Abducted in Plain Sight

74%

74%

Abducted in Plain Sight

Peace Officer

100%

92%

Peace Officer

TRAILER

for Peace Officer

Discover more movies and TV shows.

View More

View more photos

Synopsis

The death and life of James Chasse changes a city.

Director: Brian Lindstrom
Producer: Jason Renaud, Andrew Saunderson, Brian Lindstrom
Screenwriter: Matthew Davis
Production Co: Cascadia Behavioral Healthcare, Mental Health Association of Portland
Genre: Documentary, Crime, Drama
Original Language: English
Release Date (Streaming): Jan 4, 2019
Runtime: 1h 30m

Most Popular at Home Now