Review of Henry: Portrait of a Serial Killer (1986) by Daniel P — 02 Aug 2008

A fascinating, deeply disturbing and serious film depicting the mind of a serial killer, that has aged very well and has an intense power. Michael Rooker is mesmerising as Henry, an empty vessel of a man who does not change from beginning to end - he kills kills kills; there's no redemption in sight, no possibility of remorse.

In fact, he doesn't seem to show any positive emotion at all. The title is apt and almost ironic, since this portrait is more akin to a blank canvas. There's nothing there. The other performances are less successful and the music score, though inventive, also distracts, though the direction is mostly very effective.

There are two key scenes in this film that highlight just how deceptively clever it is: the first is the 'TV Salesman' scene where the audience is invited to root on the inevitable violence and almost get catharsis from the killing of a grossly unlikeable character, which is the precursor for the 'home invasion' scene, which by contrast turns the tables.

Here the violence is repellent, shocking, sickening and realistic.