Shot on 16mm in only 28 days for $110,000, this film has become more than a cult horror classic. It's become a legend. All the more reason to watch it.
Starring: Michael Rooker, Tracy Arnold, Tom Towles
Directed by: John McNaughton
The Positives:
- The very first shot was shocking, brutal, and classy.
- Actually, the entire first sequence cutting back and forth between Henry and his victims was fantastically pieced together.
- Michael Rooker! Huzzah!
- For its budget, this film is very well crafted.
- While a few of the murders weren't depicted on screen, the film does show the bodies with the sound of their deaths echoing in the back ground. It's both smart and effective.
- Most horror films find it difficult to balance sexuality and gore, throwing in gratuitous amount of both with out need or caution. This film finds the perfect balance of the two.
- The home invasion/rape/murder scene that was shown via a home recorded video tape was sickeningly uncomfortable. Just right for a indie horror film.
- This movie is the very definition of the word "Gritty".
- While a kick in the dick, the ending was shocking, as a good horror flick's should be.
The Negatives:
- The film's score at it's worst reminded me of a generic piss-poor soundtrack from a Sega video game or a crappy PBS documentary on local restaurants.
- Some of the lesser parts were poorly acted and the script didn't do them any favors.
- I think some attempt at a story was there but mainly this film just showed off a small part of a serial killer's day-to-day life and was presented as more or less of a showcase for his many kills.
Grade: B-
What the film lacks in story it more than makes up for with exceptional film-making and quality scares. When it comes to indie horror films, "Henry: Portrait of a Serial Killer" is an above average attempt.
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