20 Serial Killer Movies You Must See Before You Die

11. Henry: Portrait Of A Serial Killer (1986)

Here's a film that absolutely delivers on the promise of its title, in that it offers up a realistic and gritty study of a man who is compelled to cruelly murder other people. Henry: Portrait of a Serial Killer is an ugly movie about an ugly guy, not always entirely watchable, but as an exploration of a murderer's mindset, somewhat unparalleled. There is no Hollywood sheen to this picture, after all, and Michael Rooker gives a truly unnerving performance as the killer of the title who - as a drifter - wanders the countryside and randomly butchers those he meets or stumbles upon without mercy. Shot on a low-budget over the course of just a month, Henry: Portrait of a Serial Killer was criticised upon release and was subsequently rated "X" by the MPAA for its graphic content and disturbing material. It still feels like a nasty film all these years later, but isn't that what an honest film about a serial killer should feel like?