Here’s another amazing film that presents apprehensible behavior and let’s the audience think about what they are watching. This is a horror film on the level of SILENCE OF THE LAMBS. With layered characters and deep themes, this is far more than just another splatter fest.
The film follows real life killer Henry Lee Lucas (Michael Rooker, MALLRATS, CLIFFHANGER), his sidekick-in-crime Otis (Tom Towles, THE ROCK) and Otis' younger sister, Becky (Tracy Arnold). The film depicts Henry as a cold-hearted killer, who commits his murders out of sexual frustration, which was spurred on by a troubled childhood. As the plot unravels, Otis joins in on the murders. Though, Lucas is a killer, he reveals his softer side to Becky, who begins to fall for a guy who would clearly be classified as another "wrong guy" in a life full of wrong guys.
There are two brilliant scenes that juxtapose each other and really make the audience think. One features the over-the-top murder of an annoying pawnshop owner, which makes the audience root for his murder. Then there is a very disturbing sequence following it, where we watch the murder of an innocent family through the lens of a video camera. It makes a brilliant comment on how violence is presented on screen and how we find enjoyment in it. What do you think about your own tolerance for violence when Henry and Otis sit down to rewatch the tape of their murder?
John McNaughton was hired to make a cheap horror flick for a fledgling company. What he turned out was a disturbing comment of screen violence. It's also frightening as hell. The direction is perfect, with a documentary feel to it. It makes the material feel more immediate and real. By using Becky as the moral center, we can understand why someone could get lured in by Henry. She allows Henry to develop as a multifaceted character instead of a one-dimensional monster.
Star Rooker launched his career in this film that played film festivals all over the world. His searing performance is intense, but with subtle layers. What makes his rage scary is that it's believable, not over-the-top. He was nominated for many acting awards including the Independent Spirit Awards.
The best horror films are ones that use the common in ways that draw us into the frightening. Henry is a movie "monster" who we recognize as a human that lives in the same world as us. Becky is us and we fear for what will happen if she finds out who Henry is. This is a probably the smartest and best horror film I have ever seen.
Rick DeMott
Animation World Network
Creator of Rick's Flicks Picks
