Interview with the Assassin

Interview with the Assassin

Year: 2002

Runtime: 88 min

Language: English

Director: Neil Burger

Drama

A struggling TV news cameraman's life takes a dramatic turn when he meets his mysterious neighbor, Walter Ohlinger. Ohlinger makes the startling claim of being the shooter at the "grassy knoll" during the JFK assassination, launching the cameraman, Ron Kobeleski, on a dangerous search for the truth. Their investigation places them both in a precarious and threatening situation as they delve deeper into a decades-old conspiracy.

Warning: spoilers below!

Haven’t seen Interview with the Assassin yet? This summary contains major spoilers. Bookmark the page, watch the movie, and come back for the full breakdown. If you're ready, scroll on and relive the story!

Timeline – Interview with the Assassin (2002)

Trace every key event in Interview with the Assassin (2002) with our detailed, chronological timeline. Perfect for unpacking nonlinear stories, spotting hidden connections, and understanding how each scene builds toward the film’s climax. Whether you're revisiting or decoding for the first time, this timeline gives you the full picture.

1

Ron Kobeleski's Monotonous Life

The film opens with Ron Kobeleski, an unemployed cameraman, leading a life of monotony. His days are filled with aimlessness and a lack of purpose, showcasing his struggle to find meaning in a world that seems stagnant.

2

Walter Ohlinger's Shocking Secret

Kobeleski's life takes a dramatic turn when his reclusive neighbor, Walter Ohlinger, reveals a shocking secret. Ohlinger confesses to Kobeleski that he was the one who fired the fatal shot that killed President John F. Kennedy, rather than the commonly believed Lee Harvey Oswald.

Kobeleski's neighborhood
3

The Grassy Knoll Revelation

Ohlinger’s confession introduces the unsettling idea that the conspiracy theory surrounding a second shooter on the grassy knoll might have truth to it. This claim sends Kobeleski spiraling into doubt and intrigue as he grapples with the enormity of the revelation.

4

Searching for Evidence

Kobeleski, filled with skepticism, demands solid evidence to believe Ohlinger's confession. Accompanying him on a quest for validation, the pair seek out individuals that support Ohlinger's narrative, deepening the mystery.

5

Conflict with His Ex-Wife

As Kobeleski becomes engrossed in Ohlinger's story, he faces mounting pressure from his ex-wife, who dismisses him as a lunatic and a fraud. This personal conflict adds another layer of tension as Kobeleski struggles between loyalty and disbelief.

6

The Attempted Assassination

The film takes a terrifying turn when Ohlinger attempts to assassinate the current president. This dramatic act escalates the stakes and propels Kobeleski into a life-or-death situation as he confronts Ohlinger.

Ohlinger's home
7

Kobeleski's Extreme Action

In a moment of self-preservation during Ohlinger's assassination attempt, Kobeleski is forced to take extreme measures. This drastic action leads to unforeseen consequences that drastically reshape the course of his life.

8

Arrest and Legal Trouble

Following the thwarted assassination attempt, Kobeleski faces arrest and is charged as an accomplice. The gravity of his situation is accentuated as he learns he may serve a three-year prison sentence.

9

Heart-Wrenching Admission

Just before his incarceration, Kobeleski gives a poignant interview to a journalist. He heartbreaking admits, 'telling my side of the story won't help me at all,' which underscores his feelings of hopelessness and despair.

10

Tragic Fate Behind Bars

In the film's haunting closing moments, it is revealed that Kobeleski meets a tragic fate while imprisoned. This twist leaves the audience reflecting on the heavy consequences of choices made in desperation.

Prison
11

Cinematographic Perspective

The film creatively employs cinematography that mimics Ron Kobeleski's point of view. This storytelling approach allows the audience to feel as though they are witnessing the events firsthand through Kobeleski's lens.

12

Emotional Depth through Performance

Dylan Haggerty, portraying Kobeleski, brings a complex emotional depth to the character's journey. His rich performance resonates throughout the film, enriching the narrative with moments of vulnerability and despair.

Last Updated: November 18, 2024 at 20:21

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Paranoid thrillers of dangerous truth-seeking like Interview with the Assassin

Stories where the search for a dangerous truth turns the protagonist's world upside down.If you liked the tense investigation and growing fear in Interview with the Assassin, you'll find more movies like it here. This list features gripping thrillers where characters risk everything to uncover a conspiracy, leading to claustrophobic and paranoid narratives.

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Narrative Summary

The narrative typically centers on an investigation that begins with a single clue or confession. The protagonist's initial curiosity morphs into obsession as they uncover layers of a conspiracy, facing threats and manipulation that erode their sense of safety and sanity, often leading to a tragic or isolating conclusion.

Why These Movies?

These movies are grouped together because they share a core psychological experience: the visceral fear and alienation that comes from pursuing a truth that powerful forces want to keep buried. They excel at creating a pervasive atmosphere of suspicion and high-stakes tension.

Bleak found-footage documentaries and thrillers like Interview with the Assassin

First-person narratives that document a harrowing journey toward a hopeless end.For viewers who appreciated the immersive, first-person camera perspective and somber ending of Interview with the Assassin. Discover more movies like it that use a documentary or found-footage style to tell tense, emotionally heavy stories with tragic conclusions.

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Narrative Summary

The story is presented as raw footage, often from a single camera operator, documenting events as they unfold. This perspective creates immediate intimacy and tension. The narrative arc is typically a downward spiral, where the filmmaker becomes entangled in the events they are recording, leading to an inescapably dark resolution.

Why These Movies?

These films are united by their formal style and emotional impact. The found-footage approach amplifies tension and realism, while the shared focus on fatalistic journeys and tragic endings creates a cohesive viewing experience of despair and inevitability.

Unlock the Full Story of Interview with the Assassin

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Interview with the Assassin Summary

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Interview with the Assassin Summary

Characters, Settings & Themes in Interview with the Assassin

Discover the characters, locations, and core themes that shape Interview with the Assassin. Get insights into symbolic elements, setting significance, and deeper narrative meaning — ideal for thematic analysis and movie breakdowns.

Characters, Settings & Themes in Interview with the Assassin

Interview with the Assassin Spoiler-Free Summary

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Interview with the Assassin Spoiler-Free Summary

More About Interview with the Assassin

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