Review of Henry: Portrait of a Serial Killer (1986) by Steffigy? — 14 May 2008

Much like William Lustwig's "Maniac", this film is very unnerving and not very much *fun*. It is not for entertaining as much as exposing those that walk along side of us, daily, under the radar. What is so very scary about this film is the fact that people like Henry actually do exist. They feel distant with feelings of entitlement and void of conducive emotion.

I don't know how to feel about films like this. I can't call this a favorite film, but I think that it's execution is brilliant. A viewing partner asked me why movies like this are even made and I had to ask myself the same question. Again, I think it is less so for glorifying violence and more so for illuminating the grim under belly of our society.

I would advise that those that are very sensitive not watch this film. The live killing sequence involving a family of three is extremely disturbing. I think that a *trigger warning* is appropriate for those that have been sexually assaulted. Of course, most going into a film with such a premise might guess what they are getting into, but even I, an avid horror buff, was taken back by the horrors of that scene.

What I took away from this film is to remember that human nature is not easily predicted. I don't like to live life in fear, but films like this remind me to lock my doors.