Synopsis

Empathy Not Included is a feature-length documentary exploring one of the most pervasive and often misunderstood mental pathologies in our culture: Narcissism. Shot in five countries and viewed through the lens of four self-confessed, self-aware malignant narcissists who openly share the secrets of how they operate with uncensored candor, the film follows their disturbing stories, juxtaposed with the growing body of wisdom from victims, survivors, scientists, and mental health professionals. While the term narcissist is thrown around freely and the issue seems to be everywhere in the cultural conversation due to the overwhelming omnipresence of social media -- most are unaware of the narcissist's shared "playbook" and how pervasive their abuse can be - from the most intimate relationships to the actions of global leaders. It's all abuse, it's just a question of scale. By exposing these patterns of behavior directly from the mouths of the narcissists themselves, the film sets out to educate its audience to become aware of their manipulations and, by understanding their moves, protect themselves from falling for their self-serving lies and abuse.