No matter how much time has passed since its release, the Michael Rooker-starring Henry: Portrait of a Serial Killer remains one of the most unnerving horror movies imaginable. When other movies make a serial killer the focal point of a narrative, they try to find ways to make the audience connect with the character or find ways to make the movie tonally engaging, but not Henry. Instead, filmmaker John McNaughton delivered a grim and disturbing depiction of a murderer, with Rooker’s performance bringing an eerie intensity to the title figure.
If you’re one of those sickos who likes to regularly watch the movie, then good news: Dark Sky Films is releasing an all-new restoration of the original film on 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray steelcase, which hits shelves October 27. Additionally, the movie will be screened in select Regal Cinemas on October 14.
Rooker stars as Henry, a psychopathic drifter who has left a trail of bodies in his wake and settles temporarily in the dilapidated Chicago apartment of his former prison mate Otis (Tom Towles). Into their toxic environment comes Otis’ younger sister Becky (Tracy Arnold), who is fleeing an abusive marriage and looking for a place to stay.
As Becky deflects her brother’s advances, she finds herself drawn to Henry, seeing in him both a potential lover and someone she might be able to save. What she doesn’t realize is that Henry and Otis have begun killing together, descending into increasingly terrifying acts of violence. As Becky searches for a way to rebuild her life, she turns toward Henry — raising the chilling question of whether redemption is possible for a man like him.
The 40th Anniversary Limited Edition 4K Ultra HD disc + Steelcase presents the new restoration in 2160p Dolby Vision HDR in its original 1.33:1 aspect ratio, with English DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 and 2.0 Stereo.
The release is packed with special features, including Twisting The Lens: The Diegetic Camera and Voyeurism in Henry; In Defense of Henry: An Appreciation; Henry vs MPAA: A Visual History; Henry at the BBFC, an interview with Nightmare USA author Stephen Thrower; It’s Either You or Them, an interview with artist Joe Coleman; In the Round: A Conversation with John McNaughton; Portrait: The Making of Henry; deleted scenes and outtakes; interviews with McNaughton; two audio commentaries; a still gallery; and storyboards.
Dark Sky is also marking the anniversary with an exclusive collaboration with cult apparel brand Rucking Fotten, pairing the Limited Edition 4K UHD disc + Steelcase with a specially designed Henry T-shirt. Available for pre-order exclusively through Dark Sky Selects from October 1 through October 9, the collaboration will include a Rucking Fotten T-shirt + 4K UHD Steelcase bundle, as well as an additional bundle featuring the Rucking Fotten T-shirt + 4K UHD Steelcase + VHS.
You can head to Dark Sky Selects to order your copy today.
Will you be grabbing a copy of the movie? Let us know in the comments below!
