Movie Information
Overall Rank: 1296
Average Rating: 3/4
# of Ratings: 80
Theatrical Release Date: 01/05/1990
Language: English
Genre: Crime, Thriller
MPAA Rating: R
Director: John McNaughton
Actors: Michael Rooker, Tom Towles, Tracy Arnold, David Katz
Plot: FIlm based on real-life serial killer Henry Lee Lucas and his relationship with Otis and his sister.
Quick Movie Reviews
Rating of
3.5/4
Logan D. McCoy - wrote on 06/17/2019
An often difficult to take in and fully comprehend character study, the title alone is unnerving.
Rating of
2.5/4
Yojimbo - wrote on 11/24/2012
A seedy and disturbing film that does exactly what is says on the tin. Nowhere near as sensationalist as you might expect, Rooker's character is a study of a man with no moral concept of what he does because of his total inability to deal with intimacy and the emotions it provokes. Never has a simple shot of something so innocent looking as a suitcase seemed so loaded and downright frightening.
Rating of
3.5/4
Unknown - wrote on 10/31/2011
'Portrait of a serial killer' is exactly how I would describe the film. And it's a portrait painted with an artistic touch. Realistically disturbing and intriguing.
Full Movie Reviews
Rating of
3.5/4
Brilliant, terrifying piece of art.
filmfan09 - wrote on 01/21/2009
A powerful, brutal and unique psychological horror thriller with excellent performances by Rooker and company. Michael Rooker just has that cold, merciless, look about him, perfect for the tittle role. He portrays this character so well that you actually believe him.
HENRY: PORTRAIT OF A SERIAL KILLER ia a low-budget independent shocker is without a doubt, one of the most disturbing films ever made. It is based on the real life exploits of serial killer Henry Lee Lucas.
Henry appears to be a regular guy. Calm, and soft-spoken, actually mild-mannered on the outside. Underneath, an unspeakable rage with all the fury of hell, simmering inside him, constantly searching for someone, anyone to kill.
After being released from prison for the murder of his abusive(physically and …
Rating of
3/4
A product of its times?
kcvidkid - wrote on 05/13/2008
I guess we've come a long way in almost 20 years: watching "Henry: Portrait of a Serial Killer" now, it's hard to believe there was such hoopla over the violence when it was first shown. By today's standards, it's very mild indeed.
That's not to say it's not still disturbing. The matter-of-fact way that Henry goes about his murders, coupled with the nonchalance in which he begins including his friend from prison in these murders, is treated darkly realistic. But that's not the most troubling thing about it: I found the friend's niece's attraction to Henry extremely pitiable.
The actual murder scenes are few, showing instead the bloody aftermath. The music is very effective, probably the best use of a simple melody since "Halloween". I don't suppose there's much suspense, but …
Related Movie Lists
Recent Movie Talk Posts
No posts have been made on this movie yet. Be the first to start talking about Henry: Portrait of a Serial Killer!
