About Gringo: The Dangerous Life of John McAfee

Gringo: The Dangerous Life of John McAfee is a 2016 American documentary film about the terrifying and fascinating life of John McAfee. The documentary chronicles the software kingpin’s rise to wealth and worldwide recognition with the invention of his eponymous antivirus software, his subsequent retirement to Belize, his run-ins with the law, and his eventual return to the United States.

Making / Production

Directed by the Academy Award nominee Nanette Burstein, the film delves deep into the bizarre and controversial life story of the tech millionaire John McAfee. It was produced by Lighthouse Pictures and distributed by Showtime Networks.

Actors

• John McAfee: As himself - McAfee, while not an actor, appears in a raw, unfiltered version of himself in archival clips and interviews.
• Various real-life figures: Numerous people from McAfee's life including employees, neighbors, and investigative journalists appear throughout the documentary sharing personal experiences and insights.

Trivia / Interesting Facts

• The documentary features in-depth interviews with local residents of Belize, local authorities, reporters, and former girlfriends of McAfee, all providing a multifaceted view of the tech tycoon's life.
• Throughout the film, McAfee is implicated in various illegal activities, including drug production, gang associations, and even murder, painting a startling portrait of a man who 'went off the rails'.

Awards

The film, while critically acclaimed, did not receive any major awards. However, it was nominated for the Grand Jury Prize at the 2016 DOC NYC film festival.

Quotes

• “My fragile connection with the world of polite society has, without a doubt, been severed. My attire would rank me among the worst-dressed Tijuana panhandlers. My hygiene is no better.” — John McAfee
• "I don't see myself as paranoid. I think I see myself as normal and everyone else as naive." — John McAfee

Music, Soundtrack

• ‘Symphony No. 3 (Mahler)’ by the Southwest German Radio Symphony Orchestra
• 'Man on a Mission' by Richard Myhill