Chappaquiddick

Chappaquiddick presents a careful, character focused look at a moment that altered a political dynasty. The narrative follows Ted Kennedy as a late night fatal car crash on Martha's Vineyard becomes a career crisis and a national scandal, threatening to derail decades of public service. Jason Clarke embodies the senator's quiet intensity, while Kate Mara portrays Mary Jo Kopechne with steady presence as the events unfold around her. The film emphasizes the immediate aftermath, the relentless media glare, and the pressure from family and colleagues to respond, all while questions about responsibility, loyalty, and political calculus swirl without offering easy answers.

Directed by John Curran, with a screenplay by Taylor Allen and Andrew Logan, the film revisits real life events surrounding the 1969 incident. A 2018 Focus Features release, it was produced on a 34 million budget.

The movie rekindles discussion about accountability in political life and the role of the press in shaping memory of a defining era. By keeping the focus on the choices made after the crash, it prompts audiences to consider how power and privilege influence a leader's path.

Critics praised the restrained tone and performances, especially Clarke's nuanced portrayal of Kennedy and Mara's understated depiction of Mary Jo Kopechne at the center. The film centers on themes of responsibility, public image, and the moral ambiguity surrounding a high profile political family.