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MTDb โ€บ Best of โ€บ 1986 โ€บ Henry: Portrait of a Serial Killer

Henry: Portrait of a Serial Killer poster

Henry: Portrait of a Serial Killer (1986)

โ€œHe's not Freddy, he's not Jason...he's real.โ€

6.7/10 ยท 803 votes 1h 23m nr ThrillerDramaHorrorCrime

#40 of 63 films from 1986 #1031 of 2475 in thriller

Directed by John McNaughton ยท Written by John McNaughton, Richard Fire

โ–ถ Trailer, images & where to stream

Overview

Arriving in Chicago, Henry moves in with ex-con acquaintance Otis and starts schooling him in the ways of the serial killer.

Cast

Michael Rookeras Henry
Tracy Arnoldas Becky
Tom Towlesas Otis
Mary Demasas Dead Woman / Dead Prostitute / Hooker #1
Anne Bartolettias Waitress
Elizabeth Kadenas Dead Couple - Wife
Ted Kadenas Dead Couple - Husband
Denise Sullivanas Floating Woman
Anita Oresas Mall Shopper #1
Megan Oresas Mall Shopper #2
Cheri Jonesas Mall Shopper #3
Monica Anne O'Malleyas Mall Victim
Bruce Quistas Husband
Erzsebet Szikyas Hitchhiker

Facts

Release dateSeptember 24, 1986
Runtime83 min (1h 23m) โ€” shorter as the 1986 average of 102 min
GenresThriller, Drama, Horror, Crime
LanguageEN
Budget$111,000
Box office$609,939 (5.5ร— budget)
IMDbtt0099763

More from John McNaughton

Wild ThingsWild Things1998 ยท โ˜… 6.4 ยท 1h 48m

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Questions

How long is Henry: Portrait of a Serial Killer?
Henry: Portrait of a Serial Killer runs 83 minutes (1h 23m), short enough for a weeknight.
Is Henry: Portrait of a Serial Killer worth watching?
TMDB users give it 6.7/10 across 803 votes, which places it #40 of 63 films released in 1986 in this index (top 38%) and #1031 among 2475 thriller titles.
Who directed Henry: Portrait of a Serial Killer?
Henry: Portrait of a Serial Killer was directed by John McNaughton. Other well-rated titles by the same director: Wild Things (1998).
Who stars in Henry: Portrait of a Serial Killer?
Michael Rooker as Henry; Tracy Arnold as Becky; Tom Towles as Otis; Mary Demas as Dead Woman / Dead Prostitute / Hooker #1; Anne Bartoletti as Waitress; Elizabeth Kaden as Dead Couple - Wife.
What is Henry: Portrait of a Serial Killer rated?
It carries a nr certification in its home market. Ratings differ by country.
Where can I watch the trailer for Henry: Portrait of a Serial Killer?
Open the title in the MTDb app for trailers, images and streaming links: https://mv.peoplentools.com/titles/108725.

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Film data and images from TMDB. This product uses the TMDB API but is not endorsed or certified by TMDB. Ratings are TMDB user scores as of 2026-10-05.