Tesfa Reviews’s review published on Letterboxd:
A film that defies conventions and leaves an indelible mark on its viewers. Directed by John McNaughton, this low-budget tour de force takes us into the mind of a man for whom killing is not a crime but merely a way of passing time and relieving boredom.
Filmed in 1986 but trapped in the movie rating system for three years, “Henry” emerged in 1989, sparking heated debates. Unlike typical slasher films, it avoids humor or campiness. Instead, it plunges us into the gray slush of Chicago’s back alleys, honky-tonk bars, and drab apartments. Michael Rooker’s portrayal of Henry is unrelenting—his eyes devoid of empathy, his actions heartless. The film doesn’t entertain; it illuminates the pathology of a killer.
The film questions our relationship with violence in media. It doesn’t bring us closer to the murderer; it reminds us of our own culpability as spectators. The lack of empathy required to harm others is rubbed in our faces. This existential chill lingers long after it ends.
I am watching it decades later yet, the film still seizes and horrifies me. Michael Rooker’s performance as Henry Lee Lucas is superb, capturing the descent into evil with unflinching intensity. The movie’s realism and chilling atmosphere make it one of the best horrors of the 80s.
Henry: Portrait of a Serial Killer is not for the faint of heart. It’s a stark exploration of darkness, leaving the viewer with haunting questions about our own fascination with violence and the human psyche.