Background information

The film We Need to Talk About Kevin directed by Lynne Ramsay, centers around the actions of Kevin, a teenager who seems to be showing signs of psychopathy and Antisocial Personality Disorder. Many of Kevin’s actions in the film are consistent with this condition.

Antisocial Personality Disorder is a complex condition in which individuals display persistent disregard for the rights of others, deceitfulness, impulsivity, irritability, aggression, and a lack of remorse after harming others. Individuals with ASPD often exhibit behaviors that violate societal norms, leading to legal issues, strained interpersonal relationships, and a diminished capacity for empathy. Antisocial Personality Disorder includes characteristics often associated with what is more commonly known as psychopathy. 

However, is should be noted that while the term psychopath is used in criminology and with the general public, the International Classification of Diseases has introduced the term ASPD as an official diagnosis for the condition commonly referred to as psychopathy. 

ASPD often starts to manifest in late adolescence or early adulthood and it is frequently associated with criminal behavior, substance abuse, and a history of conduct disorder during childhood. The cause of ASPD is believed to be a combination of genetic, environmental (such as early exposure to trauma or neglect), and neurological factors. 

In We Need to Talk About Kevin, the character of Kevin Khat...