[7]
Michael Rooker (Slither, Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2) gives a chilling performance in this gritty, 16mm film based loosely on the confessions of convicted murderer Henry Lee Lucas. As Henry, Rooker lives in a dingy apartment with a roommate named Otis (Tom Towles) and his naïve younger sister, Becky (Tracy Arnold). At first, Henry keeps his murderous extra-curricular activity a secret. But after Otis witnesses him offing a pair of prostitutes, Otis develops a thirst for blood himself. The men start a killing spree together, unbeknownst to Becky, who is becoming romantically infatuated with Henry. Things come to a head when Otis threatens Becky and offends Henry, pitting the trio against each other.
Co-writer/director John McNaughton (Mad Dog and Glory, Wild Things) truly makes the most out of a meager $110,000 budget. Henry: Portrait of a Serial Killer isn’t an especially graphic film, but it unsettles the audience with its unnerving characters and the shockingly casual way they slip into ever-increasing depravity. Towles and Arnold give better performances than you might expect from such a low-budget film, but Michael Rooker is real find here. He embodies his character so convincingly, you almost feel like you’re watching a documentary at times. It’s a subtle but striking performance that would launch the actor’s career as a character actor.
The story is a little flimsy in the beginning and struggles with pacing a bit, but once the dynamic among the three main characters is established, Henry: Portrait of a Serial Killer finds its stride and distinguishes itself among the pantheon of low-budget horror flicks. What makes the film most memorable is the way it attempts to humanize the monstrous among us. Through his relationship with Becky, the film suggests that maybe — just maybe — a psychopath can be reached and reasoned with. But can you ever really trust a serial killer?