Review of Henry: Portrait of a Serial Killer (1986) by Chris M — 18 Oct 2010

As I was watching this film, I was underrating it. In my head I was comparing it to films like "August Underground." For a film that is renowned for being offensive, it didn't even come close to the blood, gore, and "realism" of "August Underground." But after I finished it I thought it over, and came to the conclusion that that is what makes this movie more realistic. It may sound contradictory, but you will understand in a moment.

"Henry: Portrait of a Serial Killer" tells the story of a serial killer named Henry (well, duh). He kills without remorse and with astounding precision. His only motive is for entertainment. Henry lives with his friend Otis, although he likes to "keep moving" due to the nature of his crimes. One day Otis's sister, Becky, comes to visit and decides to stay at the house for a while. Becky and Henry begin talking one night, and Henry tells Becky about how he killed his mother. Becky and Henry have a strange relationship with each other; it's almost as if Henry looks at her as a sister, but it's very hard to tell. Much of the film shows the murders of Henry and Otis, including a memorable scene where the two of them murder a family and videotape it.

As said before, "Henry" is not as offensive, bloody, or "real" as "August Underground." But this is what makes "Henry" the superior and more realistic movie, even though the reputation of "August Underground" is built around the offensive and realistic special effects. The murders in "August Underground" still come off as sensationalized. It's like the director set out to make the most offensive film he possibly could. It's reminiscent of the "torture porn" genre made famous by "Saw." But in "Henry," there's nothing sensational about it. It's gritty, ugly, and real. In movies such as "Friday the 13th" audiences wince in delight when they see an arrow go through Kevin Bacon's throat. But in this film, the violence is so real that you'd have to be sick to be delighted from it. And, in this case, it's more realistic. The film doesn't try to make you enjoy Henry's killings. Although there are times when it seems like Henry has something good inside of him, they are quickly shattered like a slap in the face.

"Henry: Portrait of a Serial Killer" isn't made for "gore-hounds." It's as if the director looked at all of the kills of slasher movies and decided to slap us in the face with the reality of murder. It's not glamorous, it's not impressive, and it's not sensational. Henry doesn't look like a decaying corpse like Jason Voorhees; Henry doesn't wear a white William Shatner mask like Michael Myers; Henry doesn't crack jokes like Freddy Krueger. Henry is just a man like you and me. He could be the guy down the street. He could be your best friend. He is not a horror icon: he is a man. Taking that into account, he's scarier than any of the aforementioned horror icons.