The movie takes place in the three days leading up to Lennon's assassination and is intended to be a deep exploration of Chapman's psyche, without putting substantial emphasis on the murder. The title "Chapter 27" suggests a continuation of J.D. Salinger's classic novel The Catcher in the Rye, which ends on chapter 26. Chapman attempted to model his life after Holden Caulfield, the main character of the book and was carrying a copy when he shot Lennon.