The Killing of John Lennon

Released Jan 2, 2008

1h 54m

Drama

List

39%

Tomatometer

36 Reviews

46%

Audience Score

25,000+ Ratings

Disgruntled security guard Mark David Chapman (Jonas Ball) identifies so intensely with "The Catcher in the Rye" that he starts believing himself the novel's protagonist, Holden Caulfield. Like Holden, he hates phonies, and fixates on John Lennon as one of the worst. His contempt soon evolves into a murderous rage, and Chapman vows to kill Lennon. He flies from Hawaii to New York City twice, stalking the ex-Beatle until their fateful encounter outside the Dakota.

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Critics Consensus

Despite a committed performance by newcomer Jonas Ball, The Killing of John Lennon is ultimately a flimsy character study.

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Owen Gleiberman

Entertainment Weekly

Rated: C

Sep 7, 2011

Full Review

Entertainment Weekly

Rated: C

Apr 12, 2011

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Mark Rahner

Seattle Times

It's well-constructed and acted, but mainly just left me feeling like I needed a shower after an exercise in voyeurism surrounding an event that's still hard to watch.

Rated: 2/4

Mar 21, 2008

Full Review

Anton Bitel

Projected Figures

Piddington pulls off a delicate balancing act, presenting Chapman as an explosive by-product of our celebrity-obsessed times, while resisting the temptation to validate Chapman's own elaborate self-mythologising.

Feb 17, 2022

Full Review

Troy Patterson

Spin

What Killing lacks in celebrity sparkle, it compensates for in raw ambition and rude chills.

Sep 5, 2018

Full Review

Dave White

Movies.com

Rated: 3/5

Apr 4, 2011

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R B

I have to disagree with some of the critics of this movie, including those "fans" of the Chapter 27 film. "The Killing of John Lennon" is an excellent film, with Jonas Ball inhabiting the part of the crazed gunman. It follows his life in Hawaii, estranged relationship with his mother, and others in his neighbourhood, obsession with Catcher in the Rye, overbearing relationship with his wife, and the build up to the killing of John Lennon outside of his apartment at the entrance to the Dakoto building. When I couldn't source the DVD from my library, I bought it - something I rarely do. Perhaps the less engaging part of the film is the plot after the movie, but the use of gunman's own words through the film gives it both intimacy and realism. If you are a John Lennon / Beatles fan and have not seen this film, I urge you to watch it.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

11/30/23

Full Review

Audience Member

The assassination of legendary musician John Lennon was one of the most shocking moments in the history of music. The Killing of John Lennon is a disturbing character study about Lennon's killer, Mark David Chapman. This is the type of film that is no everyone due to its subject. Nonetheless, it's a well directed affair that is very well acted and has a tense atmosphere from start to finish. You really get a sense of how disturbed Chapman was, and actor Jonas Ball is very good in the part. The story is well thought out, and it grabs your attention from start to finish. I liked the film, and I thought that it was a very good drama that recounted a terrible tragedy. Lennon's death was tragic, and this film shows everything that leads right up to his death at the hand of Chapman. Brilliantly crafted, The Killing of John Lennon is a unique film experience because it really goes deep into the mind of the killer that was Chapman. As far as character studies go, this is among the finest that I have seen. The film manages to be disturbing, depressing and ultimately sad due to the fact that it revisits that fateful night of December 8th, 1980. Director Andrew Piddington delivers a standout drama, one that relies on a great cast and true story to make this picture truly standout. Like I said, this isn't a film for everyone, but if you enjoy character studies, then this is worth watching. Yes, it gets into the might of a depraved individual, but in doing so, you are mesmerized by the film's story. A well made picture, and one that is unforgettable.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

02/07/23

Full Review

Audience Member

Horrible movie that tries to humanize a crazy person... Pointless and a complete waste of time (too bad there isn't a zero rating)

Rated 0.5 out of 5 stars

02/08/23

Full Review

Audience Member

The main problematic debacle is that the film lacks depth and appeal. The first of two unrelated "John Lennon assassination" films released relatively close to one other seems a bit tasteless of the film industry to profit from churning out mediocre propaganda tripe such as this. I love John Lennon and this film seems to be promoting the killer rather than Lennon's legendary status.

Rated 2 out of 5 stars

01/20/23

Full Review

Audience Member

One of the most controversial stories ever known and a end of an era. Interesting viewing after a bit of a slow start. Hopefully this was all based on what he did leading up to the shooting, it was quite extraordinary!

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

01/20/23

Full Review

Audience Member

i was 11 years old when john lennon was killed - too young to really understand what was going on. i guess a part of me always wondered what happened - the background, why did this guy do it? well this is a pretty good attempt to capture the madness that drove chapman to kill lennon - and it uses his own words. an interesting look at madness and obsession.

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

02/12/23

Full Review

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Andrew Piddington

Director

Jonas Ball

Mark David Chapman

Mie Omori

Gloria Chapman

Krisha Fairchild

Chapman's Mom

Robert C. Kirk

John Sullivan

Anthony Solis

Gun Salesman

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Synopsis

Disgruntled security guard Mark David Chapman (Jonas Ball) identifies so intensely with "The Catcher in the Rye" that he starts believing himself the novel's protagonist, Holden Caulfield. Like Holden, he hates phonies, and fixates on John Lennon as one of the worst. His contempt soon evolves into a murderous rage, and Chapman vows to kill Lennon. He flies from Hawaii to New York City twice, stalking the ex-Beatle until their fateful encounter outside the Dakota.

Director: Andrew Piddington
Producer: Rakha Singh
Screenwriter: Andrew Piddington
Distributor: IFC First Take
Genre: Drama
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Jan 2, 2008, Limited
Release Date (Streaming): Nov 19, 2020
Box Office (Gross USA): $6.7K
Runtime: 1h 54m