Watch I, Psychopath
- NR
- 2013
- 58 min
-
6.2 (179)
I, Psychopath is a documentary-style film released in 2009 that follows the life of Sam Vaknin, an author and self-proclaimed psychopath. The film aims to shed light on the inner workings of a psychopath's mind and understand what drives their actions. The movie begins with Sam introducing himself as a psychopath, which he describes as a personality disorder characterized by a lack of empathy, remorse, and guilt. He also explains that he has been diagnosed with Narcissistic Personality Disorder (NPD) and that he has written books on both topics.
Throughout the film, Sam is interviewed by Lidija Rangelovska, a filmmaker, and Robert Hare, a well-respected researcher in the field of psychopathy. The interviews take place in various settings, including Sam's home and a restaurant, and cover a range of topics, such as Sam's childhood, his relationships with others, and his motivations for his behavior.
Sam describes his childhood as being emotionally cold and abusive, which he believes contributed to his development as a psychopath. He explains that he has had many romantic relationships throughout his life but has never felt love for anyone. He sees other people merely as objects to use and manipulate to achieve his goals.
Sam also discusses his views on society and the world at large. He believes that psychopaths are superior to other people because they do not waste time on emotions or morality. He also criticizes social norms and values, such as honesty and trust, which he sees as weaknesses that people use to control each other.
One of the most interesting parts of the film is when Robert Hare interviews Sam using the Hare Psychopathy Checklist (PCL-R). The PCL-R is a diagnostic tool used to assess the presence of psychopathic traits in individuals. Sam scores very high on the checklist, confirming his diagnosis as a psychopath.
The movie ends with Sam discussing his feelings towards the film. He admits that he enjoyed the attention and exposure that the film brought him and that he hopes more people become interested in psychopathy as a result. He also states that he does not plan on changing his behavior and will continue to thrive as a psychopath.
Overall, I, Psychopath is a fascinating and thought-provoking film that provides insight into the mind of a psychopath. Sam Vaknin's candid interviews and Robert Hare's expert analysis make for compelling viewing. The film does not glamorize or condone psychopathy but instead strives to understand it. It is a must-see for anyone interested in psychology, criminology or human behavior.
I, Psychopath is a 2013 documentary with a runtime of 58 minutes. It has received moderate reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 6.2.