Henry: Portrait of a Serial Killer, written by Richard Fire and John McNaughton, directed by the latter - 8.4 out of 10

Henry: Portrait of a Serial Killer, written by Richard Fire and John McNaughton, directed by the latter
8.4 out of 10


This drama has an impressive average, Metascore of 80, which means that most critics have been more than pleased.

Indeed, the Los Angeles Times and the Philadelphia Inquirer have both given it a maximum 100 out of 100, while Rolling Stone and others have been very appreciative.
The Washington Post on the other hand is rather dismissive  of a 'half art film, half schlock-horror movie'.

Henry has a bizarre atmosphere, strange characters and a plot that is also outre, notwithstanding the fact that it is based on real events.
Michael Rooker is very effective as Henry, unless of course, you share the view of the Washington Post chronicler, who is actually correct in his assessment,  at least in part.

He kills victims that he apparently selects randomly, albeit he has a rudimentary strategy, which he would explain later to the novice who learns how to murder from him.
The antihero shares a flat with Otis, who will listen to the lessons given by the experienced killer, who says that the police look for a pattern and thus it is better to change method.

Otherwise, they just follow the blood from the deer, they expect their wanted man to strangle again, or use the same gun.
Henry says that if you use a pistol, you can use it again, but change the weapon, don't use the same gun.

Both Otis and Henry are psychopaths,  in that they don't feel the pain of their victims.
Indeed, Otis even enjoys his atrocities, while his sick partner and teacher seems to remain aloof, unmoved either way by his abominations.

For the first murder of the apprentice, they stop the car, raise the hood and signal for an innocent driver to stop, offering help.
When one does, his munificence is repaid with a few bullets that kill him for no other reason, except Otis had stated he feels like ending someone's life.

One day, Becky, Otis' sister, arrives, leaving behind her child, departing from a husband who would be sent to jail, for...murdering someone.
It looks like killers all move in the same circles.

The relationship between brother and sister is very disturbing, just as at one point, the woman recounts having been abused by her father, who had come to her at night, when she was just fourteen, kicked and raped her, repeatedly.
When the two men try to buy a television set, the man in the shop is less than forthcoming and he pays for his remarks with his life, when the two lunatics start stabbing him and finally they smash his head with one tv.

They will take one home and a camera with which they record their next heinous crimes, this time they dispatch father, mother and a boy, during scenes of extreme brutality.