Running with the Devil: The Wild World of John McAfee (2022)

Quartile rating: 6/10 · 1 rating

Through raw, revealing footage and interviews with fugitive tech pioneer John McAfee, this documentary uncovers new layers of his wild years on the run.

The Quartile Take

This documentary benefits from direct access to John McAfee himself, capturing his erratic behavior and paranoia on the run in a raw, unfiltered way. The subject matter is inherently compelling — a tech billionaire turned fugitive with murder allegations swirling around him. However, the filmmaking craft is fairly standard for the true crime documentary space, with conventional interview setups and handheld footage that doesn't elevate the material visually. The narrative structure meanders at times, relying heavily on McAfee's own showmanship rather than disciplined investigative journalism. His death in 2021 adds a haunting coda to the film, giving the ending more weight than it might otherwise have had, though the film doesn't fully capitalize on that tragedy with deep insight. Novelty is modest — access journalism around a flamboyant figure is a well-worn format, but McAfee himself is singular enough to push it slightly above average.

Related films on Quartile

Browse and rate films on Quartile