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Biographical thriller
Henry: Portrait of a Serial Killer (1990): Cast, Ratings & Plot
Henry: Portrait of a Serial Killer is a 1990 biographical thriller directed by John McNaughton, starring Michael Rooker, Tom Towles and Tracy Arnold. It runs 1 hour 23 minutes. It earned 6 award nominations, including Best Director at the Spirit Awards 1991. Critics gave it 89% on Rotten Tomatoes and 80 on Metacritic.
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- Released
- Runtime
- 1h 23m (83 min)
- Director
- John McNaughton
- Original language
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English - Studio
- Greycat Films
- After the credits
- No No extra scene
The story
What Is Henry: Portrait of a Serial Killer About?
The premise of Henry: Portrait of a Serial Killer without spoilers. The whole story is in the plot summary further down.
A disturbing look into the mind of a serial killer follows Henry, a drifter who leaves a trail of violence across Chicago. He partners with his former prison acquaintance Otis, and together they indulge in brutal acts. Unbeknownst to Becky, seeking escape from an abusive relationship, Henry's troubled history has transformed him into a cold and ruthless killer. The film explores the unsettling banality of evil through Henry's detached perspective.
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Cast & crew
Henry: Portrait of a Serial Killer Cast
Michael Rooker leads the cast, with Tom Towles and Tracy Arnold. Directed by John McNaughton.
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Director John McNaughton
From the director
More from John McNaughton
More films directed by John McNaughton, best-rated first: Mad Dog and Glory, The Harvest, Condo Painting and Wild Things.
Ratings
Henry: Portrait of a Serial Killer Reviews & Ratings
Critics gave Henry: Portrait of a Serial Killer 89% on Rotten Tomatoes and 80 on Metacritic.
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Rotten Tomatoes 89% Tomatometer
Popcornmeter 71%
See on Rotten Tomatoes -
Metacritic 80 Metascore
User score 7.0
See on Metacritic
Plot
Henry: Portrait of a Serial Killer Plot Summary
What happens in Henry: Portrait of a Serial Killer from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 15 key events. The opening is below; the full summary is a 4-minute read.
Spoilers ahead
Henry is a deeply disturbed drifter, roaming across America and committing indiscriminate acts of murder against men, women, and even children. Settling in Chicago, he makes a brief stop at a diner before he escalates his violent behavior, leading to the brutal killings of elderly shopkeepers and several women at a liquor store.
Full summary
The whole story of Henry: Portrait of a Serial Killer, scene by scene
Awards
Henry: Portrait of a Serial Killer Awards & Nominations
Henry: Portrait of a Serial Killer earned 6 award nominations, including Best Director at the Spirit Awards 1991.
6 nominations1 ceremony
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Spirit Awards 1991 6 nominations- Nominated Best Director – John McNaughton
- Nominated Best Feature
- Nominated Best Male Lead – Michael Rooker
- Nominated Best Screenplay – John McNaughton
- Nominated Best Supporting Female – Tracy Arnold
Quiz
How Well Do You Know Henry: Portrait of a Serial Killer?
10 questions about the story, each with a hint if you get stuck. Pick an answer to see whether you were right.
Question 1 of 10
- Question 1: not answered
- Question 2: not answered
- Question 3: not answered
- Question 4: not answered
- Question 5: not answered
- Question 6: not answered
- Question 7: not answered
- Question 8: not answered
- Question 9: not answered
- Question 10: not answered
What does Henry initially do upon arriving in Chicago?
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FAQ
Henry: Portrait of a Serial Killer FAQ: Cast & Awards
Runtime, release date, director, cast, ratings, awards and post-credit scenes of Henry: Portrait of a Serial Killer, each answered in a sentence.
How long is Henry: Portrait of a Serial Killer?
Henry: Portrait of a Serial Killer runs 1 hour 23 minutes (83 minutes).
When was Henry: Portrait of a Serial Killer released?
Henry: Portrait of a Serial Killer was released on January 5, 1990.
Who directed Henry: Portrait of a Serial Killer?
Henry: Portrait of a Serial Killer was directed by John McNaughton.
More films by John McNaughton Who is in the cast of Henry: Portrait of a Serial Killer?
Henry: Portrait of a Serial Killer stars Michael Rooker, Tom Towles and Tracy Arnold.
How is Henry: Portrait of a Serial Killer rated?
Henry: Portrait of a Serial Killer has 89% on Rotten Tomatoes and 80 on Metacritic.
Was Henry: Portrait of a Serial Killer nominated for any awards?
Henry: Portrait of a Serial Killer received 6 nominations across 1 ceremony.
Does Henry: Portrait of a Serial Killer have a post-credit scene?
No. Henry: Portrait of a Serial Killer has no extra scene during or after the credits.
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