Henry: Portrait of a Serial Killer is a 1986 film directed by John McNaughton. The film stars Michael Rooker as Henry, a drifter who moves in with his friend Otis (Tom Towles) in Chicago. Over the course of the film, we see Henry commit a series of gruesome murders, ranging from stabbing to suffocation to bludgeoning with a piece of wood.
The film is loosely based on real-life serial killer Henry Lee Lucas and was originally made in 1986 but was not released until 1990 due to its graphic violence and disturbing subject matter.
As Otis' sister Becky (Tracy Arnold) comes to stay with them, Henry's behavior becomes even more unpredictable. He seems to have a soft spot for Becky, but his violent tendencies still continue. The film ends with Henry leaving Chicago and Becky being left traumatized by her experiences with him.
Henry: Portrait of a Serial Killer was controversial when it was released due to its graphic violence and realistic portrayal of a serial killer. Despite this, the film has since achieved cult status and is considered a classic of the horror genre.