Henry: Portrait of a Serial Killer (1990) [X or R]

This is a terrifying movie. It is loosely based on real-life serial killer Henry Lee Lucas. It is low-budget ($110,00), but it's low production values actually add to the movie's impact. It is easy to believe this movie, especially because the FBI estimates that there are at least 100 serial killers in the US today, many of them mobile, just like our Henry.

This movie is not just a series of killing scenes. In fact, the film does not show any actual killing, just the results, to the accompaniment of screams on the sound track. Instead, we get to know Henry. We find out about his past. We see him develop a friendship with Otis, his old cellmate, and Otis's sister, Becky. We even get some idea of why he kills.

What is so terrifying is not only that he gets away with the killing, but also how very calm and matter of fact he is while he commits the murders. The most horrifying scene is a home invasion, in which it is very easy to imagine yourself as the victim.

The movie originally received an X rating from the MPAA and no amount of cutting or re-editing would get them to change the rating.  It was then released in the US with no rating. I have seen both an X and an R rating attached to this movie. Leonard Maltin lists it as X, Netflix gives it an R. You decide!

Michael Rooker is very good as Henry. He is absolutely believable as a cold-blooded killer. Most of the actors in the movies were amateurs and friends of the director, doing him a favor.

Don't watch this movie by yourself! Get a friend to watch it with you and then follow up with a silly comedy. You'll still have nightmares.

DIRECTOR: John McNaughton.  CAST: Michael Rooker, Tracy Arnold, Tom Towles.

AWARDS: 9 wins & 7 nominations.