1986 Movie
Dir. John McNaughton · United States of America · English
A disquieting depiction of murder’s mundanity
There is goodness within everyone… supposedly. However, there are some instances where the belief is almost foolish, some sins done against humanity that can’t be explained, reasoned out, or defended. Henry: Portrait of a Serial Killer challenges that notion in three characters (the titular serial killer, his fellow ex-con Otis, and Otis’ sister Becky) and in the silent, unprotesting way writer-director John McNaughton makes us witness their lives. While true crime aficionados and horror fans might find this rather tame, the true horror of this portrait isn’t in the kills, but rather in the way we’ve become accustomed to this violence, the same way a literal serial killer would be.
Arriving in Chicago, Henry moves in with ex-con acquaintance Otis and starts schooling him in the ways of the serial killer.
"[T]his is a movie that will anger and frighten audiences... Many will also find this one of the most impressive film debuts of the '80s."
— Daniel M. Kimmel
After being released from prison, Henry moves in with ex-con acquaintance Otis in Chicago, and starts teaching him his methods in serial killing.
The performances.
This is not the best film to see before going to Chicago, though.
Spirit Awards
6 noms
NYFCC
1 nom
Isabella Endrinal is a curator at A Good Movie to Watch. She's now free from the corporate night shift. Previous articles have been published in outlets such as NANG Magazine. She's currently catching up on some classic films… if she isn't coping with the fact that the Haikyu anime will end soon.
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