Review of Henry: Portrait of a Serial Killer (1986) by Enrico G — 21 Jan 2009

Henry: Portrait of a Serial Killer is widely regarded as a horror classic. I've heard it described as chilling, gruesome, and absolutely frightening, and I suppose it could be exaggerated of its qualities to fit into all of those descriptors.

Everything about it is pretty simple: Henry is a killer. He lives with Otis, a degenerate/idiot/pervert. Otis's sister moves in and takes a liking to Henry. The plot trudges slowly along as Henry stirs Otis's internal blood rage and makes him a companion in his deranged murders, but aside from Otis's slow slide and the light relationship between Henry and the sister, nothing really happens.

This isn't always a negative point to attribute to a film, but in the case of Henry, it kinda makes it suffer. Fact of the matter is that the only really interesting character in the film is Henry himself, portrayed with a cold wonder by Michael Rooker, and outside of him everyone is flat and annoying to spend time with.

We skip from murder to murder, and wonder at the creativity and violence of them, but the grotesque shock of the film peaks at the 2/3 point with the voyeuristic killing of a family unit by Henry and Otis, filmed on their new found camcorder.

It's not particularly bloody, but it's probably the one scene of the film that resonated with me past its stay on screen, reminding me of the nature of the entire film Man Bites Dog. But that comparison really just led me back to thinking about how much more I'd rather be watching that film; similar concept, better execution.

Henry drags its feet until the climactic and bloody conclusion, which is satisfying to the last second I will admit. I'll also admit that I was never really bored watching Henry, at least save a couple slow parts, but it is an entertaining film.

I guess it's just another case of huge reputation and minimal delivery for me. I didn't find much in Henry that struck me as particularly original or gruesome even considering its time, and in the end, I just was left wanting for the point of it all.

It's good old gorehoundd fun for a while, and horror fans could have a hard time finding a more intrigueing subject than Henry, but check your expectations at the door and just have a good time, or you might end up a bit dissapointed.