Hinckley

Hinckley is a documentary that examines the life of John Hinckley Jr., who attempted to assassinate President Ronald Reagan in March 1981. The film explores how Hinckley's fixations on the movie Taxi Driver and actress Jodie Foster led to the attack. It traces his difficult childhood and other attempted assassinations, detailing the events surrounding the shooting and its historical impact. After spending thirty-five years in a psychiatric facility due to a verdict of not guilty by reason of insanity, Hinckley was eventually granted unconditional release. The film considers whether redemption is possible for him within a modern American climate of political division and gun violence.

The Australian production was directed and produced by Neil McGregor, who also collaborated with producer Lucy Becker. The film features John Hinckley Jr. appearing as himself, with archive footage of Jodie Foster, Ronald Reagan, Jimmy Carter, Ted Bundy, and John Lennon. This 93-minute crime and history documentary was produced by Screen Queensland, Dreadnought Films, and Glass Engine. It was released on August 30, 2024.