Ember's analysis
- Pacing
- Measured
- Intensity
- Strong
- Complexity
- Layered
- Violence
- Graphic
- disturbing
- bleak
- paranoid
- serious film night
- true crime viewing
What critics said
Critics broadly found Jared Leto’s committed performance and Jarrett Schaefer’s direction compelling, but judged the film unsuccessful at penetrating Chapman’s psychology.
What sets it apart
May contain story progression spoilers
The narrative closely follows Mark David Chapman’s thoughts, routines, obsessions, and rationalizations in the days before Lennon’s murder.
Chapman’s fixation and the approaching assassination make the film intentionally difficult to watch, especially for Lennon and Beatles devotees.
Chapman’s worship of John Lennon and his interpretation of The Catcher in the Rye shape his delusional self-conception and actions.
The limited time frame follows Chapman’s arrival in New York and increasingly ominous sidewalk encounters before the known historical outcome.
Films like Chapter 27, and why
Henry: Portrait of a Serial Killer
psychological true crime drama centered on the disturbing interiority of a real killer
The Assassination of Richard Nixon
uncomfortable biographical crime drama examining violent obsession and media myth
Taxi Driver
bleak character study of a psychologically unstable outsider approaching a notorious act
Elephant
controversial docudrama focused on the mentality behind a real-world public tragedy
Movie Details
- Director
- Jarrett Schaefer
- Release Date
- 2007-12-15
- Runtime
- 84 min
- Rating
- 5.4 / 10 (280)
Cast
- Jared Leto
- Lindsay Lohan
- Judah Friedlander
- Ursula Abbott
- Mark Lindsay Chapman
- Mariko Takai
- Michael Sirow
- Kate Higgins
- Jeane Fournier
- Brian O'Neill
Where to watch in United States
- Streaming
- Amazon Prime Video, Midnight Pulp, Amazon Prime Video with Ads, Midnight Pulp Amazon Channel
- Rent
- Amazon Video
- Buy
- Amazon Video
Streaming options come from TMDB and change over time.
Common questions
- What is Chapter 27 about?
- A disturbing biographical crime drama follows Mark David Chapman through a delusional pilgrimage toward the murder of John Lennon.
- What is Chapter 27 like to watch?
- Ember's analysis rates the pacing of Chapter 27 as measured, its intensity as strong and its storytelling as layered.
- Is Chapter 27 violent?
- Yes. Ember rates the violence in Chapter 27 as graphic.
- What did critics think of Chapter 27?
- Critics broadly found Jared Leto’s committed performance and Jarrett Schaefer’s direction compelling, but judged the film unsuccessful at penetrating Chapman’s psychology.
- Which films are like Chapter 27?
- Films with a similar feel include Henry: Portrait of a Serial Killer, The Assassination of Richard Nixon, Taxi Driver, and Elephant.
- How long is Chapter 27?
- Chapter 27 runs 84 minutes.
- Where can I watch Chapter 27?
- In United States, Chapter 27 streams on Amazon Prime Video, Midnight Pulp, Amazon Prime Video with Ads, Midnight Pulp Amazon Channel.
