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Crime drama

The Killing of John Lennon (2008): Cast, Ratings & Plot

The Killing of John Lennon (2008) movie poster

The Killing of John Lennon is a 2008 crime drama directed by Andrew Piddington, starring Jonas Ball. It runs 1 hour 54 minutes. It earned 1 award nomination, including Outstanding Debut by a British Writer, Director or Producer at the BAFTA 2008. Critics gave it 49 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 6.1/10.

IMDb rating
6.1/10
award nomination
1
Metascore
49
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The Killing of John Lennon (2008) movie poster
Released
Runtime
1h 54m (114 min)
Genres
Drama , Crime
Original language
English
After the credits
No No extra scene
The story

What Is The Killing of John Lennon About?

The premise of The Killing of John Lennon without spoilers. The whole story is in the plot summary further down.

A disturbing look at the events leading up to John Lennon's death, the film explores the mindset of Mark David Chapman, a troubled fan consumed by obsession. Through a gritty and immersive style, it delves into Chapman's descent into madness and the loneliness that fueled his twisted fixation. The story culminates in the tragic moment outside the Dakota apartment in 1980, examining the dark side of celebrity and the devastating consequences of unchecked obsession.

The Killing of John Lennon Themes & Keywords

· 37 tags
  • character name in title
  • downward spiral
  • true crime
  • docudrama drama
  • murder
  • year 1980
  • what happened to epilogue
  • video footage
  • travel
  • telephone call
  • taxi
  • shot to death
+25 more
  • security guard
  • repeated line
  • prostitute
  • prison
  • photograph
  • photographer
  • new york city
  • voice over narration
  • movie theater
  • mother son relationship
  • hotel
  • homosexual
  • hawaii
  • gun
  • fast motion scene
  • fantasy sequence
  • death threat
  • reference to catcher in the rye
  • bulletproof vest
  • autograph
  • arrest
  • album
  • 1980s
  • celebrity
  • based on true story
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Cast & crew

The Killing of John Lennon Cast

Jonas Ball stars in The Killing of John Lennon. Directed by Andrew Piddington.

From the director

More from Andrew Piddington

One more film directed by Andrew Piddington: Samurai.

Full filmography
Ratings

The Killing of John Lennon Reviews & Ratings

Critics gave The Killing of John Lennon 49 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 6.1/10.

Plot

The Killing of John Lennon Plot Summary

What happens in The Killing of John Lennon from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 13 key events. The opening is below; the full summary is a 2-minute read.

Spoilers ahead

The film delves into the unsettling journey of Mark Chapman, portrayed by Jonas Ball, and offers viewers a glimpse into his troubled psyche. It opens with Chapman grappling with feelings of alienation in Hawaii, where he feels disconnected from his job, family, and friends. In his search for meaning, he finds solace in a public library and discovers J.D. Salinger’s novel, The Catcher in the Rye. This book captivates him, leading him to identify with its protagonist, Holden Caulfield, echoing his own sense of not belonging.

Full summary

The whole story of The Killing of John Lennon, scene by scene

Read the full summary
Awards

The Killing of John Lennon Awards & Nominations

The Killing of John Lennon earned 1 award nomination, including Outstanding Debut by a British Writer, Director or Producer at the BAFTA 2008.

1 nomination1 ceremony

Videos

The Killing of John Lennon Trailers & Videos

The trailer of The Killing of John Lennon.

The Killing of John Lennon - trailer - IFFR 2006
Quiz

How Well Do You Know The Killing of John Lennon?

10 questions about the story, each with a hint if you get stuck. Pick an answer to see whether you were right.

Question 1 of 10

  1. Question 1: not answered
  2. Question 2: not answered
  3. Question 3: not answered
  4. Question 4: not answered
  5. Question 5: not answered
  6. Question 6: not answered
  7. Question 7: not answered
  8. Question 8: not answered
  9. Question 9: not answered
  10. Question 10: not answered

Who portrays Mark Chapman in the film?

Cars

Cars in The Killing of John Lennon

16 cars on screen, including the 2000 Jaguar S-Type X200 and the 2003 Ford Crown Victoria.

All 16 cars
  • 2000 Jaguar S-Type X200 in The Killing of John Lennon 2000 Jaguar S-Type X200 Important role
  • 2003 Ford Crown Victoria in The Killing of John Lennon 2003 Ford Crown Victoria Minor role
  • 2004 Ford Taurus in The Killing of John Lennon 2004 Ford Taurus Minor role
  • 2003 Chevrolet Astro in The Killing of John Lennon 2003 Chevrolet Astro Background role

Seen The Killing of John Lennon?

FAQ

The Killing of John Lennon FAQ: Cast & Awards

Runtime, release date, director, cast, ratings, awards and post-credit scenes of The Killing of John Lennon, each answered in a sentence.

How long is The Killing of John Lennon?

The Killing of John Lennon runs 1 hour 54 minutes (114 minutes).

When was The Killing of John Lennon released?

The Killing of John Lennon was released on January 2, 2008.

Who directed The Killing of John Lennon?

The Killing of John Lennon was directed by Andrew Piddington.

More films by Andrew Piddington

Who is in the cast of The Killing of John Lennon?

The Killing of John Lennon stars Jonas Ball.

How is The Killing of John Lennon rated?

The Killing of John Lennon has 6.1/10 on IMDb and 49 on Metacritic.

Was The Killing of John Lennon nominated for any awards?

The Killing of John Lennon received 1 nomination across 1 ceremony.

Does The Killing of John Lennon have a post-credit scene?

No. The Killing of John Lennon has no extra scene during or after the credits.

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