I, Psychopath

I, Psychopath follows Sam Vaknin, a diagnosed narcissist and self-professed psychopath, as he travels across Europe with his wife, Lidija, and documentary-maker Ian Walker in search of a diagnosis for psychopathy. Walker’s main motivation is to gain an understanding of the mindset and life of a psychopath. Vaknin, a convicted former corporate criminal, earns the confidence of his subjects and then taunts them with what he knows they hold dear.

Throughout the journey, Vaknin works to earn Walker’s trust, and when he gleans even the slightest personal information about the director, he strikes. At most of their stops, he manages to rile Walker by referring to things he knows will touch a nerve. Scientists across Europe certify Vaknin as scoring highly on tests for psychopathic traits, and even his wife remains unshaken when he bluntly reveals his ambivalent feelings towards her.

I, Psychopath ends with Walker revealing the impact the documentary had on his self-confidence and sense of self-worth.