John the Violent 1973

Ioannis Zachos is portrayed as a disturbed individual whose dark fantasies revolve around the killing of beautiful women. He believes that these violent acts serve as a way to affirm his masculinity and give him a sense of power. Zachos roams the deserted streets of Athens during the night, searching for victims, until one fateful evening when he enters a narrow alley and encounters Eleni Chalkia, a young woman. Without hesitation, he attacks her, stabbing her to death, and then vanishes into the shadows of the city.

The subsequent police investigation quickly leads to Zachos’s arrest. During interrogation, he confesses to the murder with ease, which initially offers relief to the authorities, as their investigation had been under scrutiny for perceived flaws. However, during his trial, inconsistencies emerge in his testimony. It becomes clear that much of what he claims is based on reports he has read in newspapers covering his own case. Despite this, Zachos’s intelligence, eloquence, and charisma make him surprisingly compelling to those present at the trial—including judges, the press, and psychiatrists—and he gradually gains a reputation as a ‘social icon.’

Throughout his testimony, Zachos openly discusses his violent tendencies, framing them within a critique of society’s coldness and indifference. He admits that his act of murder lacked any meaningful purpose but insists that he felt trapped and overwhelmed by societal pressures. He describes violence as a form of catharsis—a release from his inner turmoil. In a revealing statement, he acknowledges that the murder was senseless but claims to have committed it to experience relief from his psychological burden.

What makes Zachos particularly intriguing is his attitude toward guilt. He is depicted as a hedonist who not only derives pleasure from committing the crime but also finds satisfaction in openly confessing and accepting his guilt, which he views as a form of honesty and subsequent atonement. He perceives this act of confession as his way of revealing his “truth,” and once society accepts his guilt, he feels a sense of liberation and relief.

His articulate and seemingly sincere explanation of his motives strikes a chord with the youth of that era. Zachos presents himself as a “trapped soul,” seeking refuge from the pressures and alienation of society. Many young people resonate with his feelings of frustration and despair, which helps elevate his status to that of a cultural figure. Meanwhile, the relatives of the victim appear more interested in gaining media attention and shaping their narrative than in honoring her memory.

Ultimately, Zachos is found not guilty by reason of insanity and is sentenced to life imprisonment in a psychiatric hospital. The film concludes with an unresolved question for the audience: who holds the true guilt—the individual who commits the act, or society that shapes and influences such behavior? The story is inspired by the real-life murder case of Maria Bavea in 1963, and it explores the complex interplay between individual pathology and societal factors that can contribute to such tragic events.