The Killing of Kenneth Chamberlain Review: A Horrible But All Too Common Scenario

Release date: September 17, 2021
Running time: 85 minutes
Written and Directed By: David Midell
Starring: Frankie Faison, Steve O'Connell, Enrico Natale
Executive Producers: Morgan Freeman, Lori McCreary, Gary Lucchesi, Sharad Chib, Chris Paladino, and Milan Chakraborty

Based on the true story of the events that led to the death of Kenneth Chamberlain Sr, an elderly African American veteran with bipolar disorder, who was killed during a conflict with police officers who were dispatched to check on him.

The Killing of Kenneth Chamberlain is a relatively simple movie that deals with some very complex societal issues.  The film is self contained, taking place inside and just outside Mr. Chamberlain's apartment on that fateful night.  And the film documents the one and a half hour ordeal that led to Mr. Chamberlain's ridiculous death at the hands of an overly aggressive group of police officers.  The film has a nice pace and a good escalation of the situation, which started off routine but then led to a series of increasingly insane events and assumptions.

But the horrible and important part about this movie is just how it escalates.  The Killing of Kenneth Chamberlain shows how a routine situation can escalate when some individuals involved just can't let go.  The film definitely has an agenda, that is clear from the start, but the agenda is one that should be seen to be believed.  The fact that this man could be murdered in his own home for simply refusing to open his door during a false alarm is horrible.  And Faison does a good job of portraying Mr. Chamberlain, showing the bipolar nature of the man and the fear in his eyes and voice when the police refused to leave him.  He has to carry much of the film on his own and does so in a compelling and gripping way.  The film is not an overly tense one, but it has an oppressive feeling to it that is highlighted by the way that the police constantly demand that Mr. Chamberlain comply and do not let him simply go back to bed.  The knocking on his steel door is a constantly jarring experience, and one that must have been all the more terrifying to the man who experienced it. 

The Killing of Kenneth Chamberlain is not a perfect movie though.  It feels like an indie film, with a limited set and some lower production values that give it this look.  And the film also has a clear message, with some characters seeming to be very one-sided.  But that can all be forgiven due to the underlying insanity of the situation.  This is a story that deserves to be told, and the escalation that occurred in that hour and a half is horrendous and something that has become far too common in America.

The Killing of Kenneth Chamberlain highlights a horrible, but all too common encounter with police, with a strong performance by Faison and a tense, gripping story. 

Watch it.

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The Killing of Kenneth Chamberlain is available in theaters, digitally, and on demand on September 17, 2021.  For showtimes, click here.

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