About this episode
Henry: Portrait of a Serial Killer (1986) is one of the bleakest and most notorious serial killer horror films ever made, and in this episode of Cutting Deep into Horror, Henrique Couto and Rachael Redolfi dig into what makes John McNaughton’s grim 1986 cult classic still feel so raw, disturbing, and hard to shake. Starring Michael Rooker in a chilling breakout role, Henry strips away slick movie thrills and replaces them with grime, dread, and the sickening feeling that you are watching something you should not be seeing. Inside this episode:why Henry feels more like a serial killer character study than a conventional slasherhow the film’s cold, ugly realism makes the violence hit harderthe disturbing dynamic between Henry, Otis, and Beckywhy the ending lingers long after the creditshow the movie uses restraint, suggestion, and atmosphere to become even more upsetting than gorier horror filmswhether its “true story” reputation helps or hurts the movie’s powerHenrique and Rachael get into the film’s nasty little-world realism, its uncomfortable intimacy, Michael Rooker’s unsettling screen presence, and the way Henry blurs the line between horror movie, exploitation film, and crime nightmare. They also talk through the movie’s reputation, what makes Becky such an important part of the story, and why this one still feels meaner and more dangerous than a lot of modern serial killer horror.Film detailsYear: 1986Director: John McNaughtonStarring: Michael Rooker, Tom Towles, Tracy ArnoldRuntime: 83 minutes Where to watch (U.S., this week):Amazon Prime Video, and free options including Pluto TV, Fandango at Home Free, and Plex, with rental/purchase options on Apple TV? LISTEN NOW and subsc
