Henry: Portrait of a Serial Killer

Henry, a ruthless wanderer with a penchant for violence, has left a trail of bloodshed across America, targeting innocent men, women, and children. Upon arriving in Chicago, he stops at a diner, savoring his meal before embarking on a killing spree that claims the lives of several elderly liquor store proprietors and unsuspecting women.

Meanwhile, Otis, Henry's fellow inmate-turned-friend, returns from O'Hare International Airport with his sister Becky, bringing her back to their shared apartment. Later that night, Becky broaches the subject of Henry's mother's murder, a crime that sent him to prison. Henry reveals that he stabbed his mother to death, claiming she was responsible for years of physical and emotional abuse, forcing him to witness her explicit displays of sexuality in front of him. The trauma of this experience has left Henry with an innate revulsion towards sexual violence against women.

As the night wears on, Becky confides in Henry about her own dark past, revealing that she was a victim of incest at the hands of her father. Henry's empathetic ear and protective instincts are piqued, leading him to form a bond with Becky that seems almost paternal. However, when Otis makes a pass at his sister, Henry reacts with violent hostility, warning Otis never to make such advances again. Despite Becky's growing romantic interest in Henry, he appears repulsed by her affections.

The next day, Becky secures employment at a local salon, while Henry and Otis venture out into the night, picking up two prostitutes whom they subsequently murder with calculated brutality. Otis is left reeling from their actions, confronting Henry about his relentless killing spree. Henry attempts to justify his behavior by espousing a philosophy of relativistic morality, claiming that taking lives is simply a matter of perspective.

As Otis's frustration reaches boiling point, Henry takes him on a trip to purchase a new TV, where they encounter a hostile fence who ridicules their limited funds and refuses to sell them black-market goods. Finding the perfect opportunity to indulge his bloodlust, Henry seizes a nearby soldering iron and begins to viciously attack the man, prompting Otis to intervene with an electrical cord, choking the fence in a fit of rage. As the fence fights back, Henry smashes a TV onto his head before urging Otis to plug in the damaged television, electrocuting their victim. The pair then steals a high-end TV and camcorder, returning home undetected, their depraved actions having gone unnoticed by the authorities.

As Otis's violent tendencies are rekindled by his own victimhood at the hands of a teenage boy (whose life he had previously attempted to ruin), he becomes consumed with an uncontrollable urge for vengeance. His partner in crime, Henry, intervenes, cautioning Otis against acting on his impulses, as their previous homicide exploits have already left them vulnerable to detection by the authorities. Instead, Henry persuades Otis to channel their pent-up aggression into a calculated killing spree, exploiting the desperation of unsuspecting drivers on Lower Wacker Drive. Their tactics involve faking a broken-down vehicle and then striking down anyone foolish enough to stop and assist, leaving a trail of dead bodies in their wake.

Henry's guidance proves crucial in ensuring that each murder is committed with a different modus operandi, thereby rendering the police unable to pinpoint a single perpetrator. He also emphasizes the importance of constant movement, ensuring that by the time the authorities realize they are dealing with a serial killer, they will already be long gone from Chicago. Meanwhile, Henry's own plans for departure from the city begin to take shape.

As tensions between Otis and Henry continue to simmer, their camera equipment is destroyed during one of Otis's voyeuristic exploits, leaving them at odds with each other. When Becky decides to leave her job and return home to her daughter following the imprisonment of her ex-husband for murder, Henry and Otis argue over a recording of their latest home invasion, which resulted in the tragic loss of life.

Henry takes a break from the chaos, stepping outside for some fresh air and cigarettes, only to be confronted with a tantalizing opportunity to strike down an unsuspecting woman walking her dog. However, he resists the urge, instead returning to find Otis engaged in a brutal act of violence against Becky. As Henry fights back against Otis, the latter gains the upper hand. Just as all hope seems lost for Henry and Becky, she manages to stab Otis in the eye with her comb, leaving him momentarily stunned. Seizing the opportunity, Henry regains control and delivers a merciless beating, ultimately dismembering Otis's lifeless body in the bathtub.

As the darkness dissolves, Henry and Becky (despite the gruesome weight that lingers) take their final steps away from the remnants of Otis's mortal coil. Together, they dispose of the trash bags containing his dismembered remains into the river's flow, leaving the desolate landscape behind them. With a promise to reunite at his sister's ranch in San Bernardino, California, Henry sets his sights on a fresh start, assuring Becky that they'll retrieve her daughter once they arrive. The open road stretches out before them as they embark on this new chapter.

In the quiet hours of the night, Becky opens up about her deepening emotions, confessing her love for Henry. His response, though lukewarm, suggests a reciprocity of feelings. As the stars twinkled above, they check into a motel room for the night, their footsteps heavy with the weight of secrets and uncertainties.

Morning breaks, and Henry slips away from Becky's side, disappearing into the dawn-lit world without her. He returns to the car, leaving behind the motel's familiar confines. A fleeting pause at the roadside sees him dump Becky's blood-stained suitcase into a ditch before continuing on his solitary journey. The silence that follows is oppressive, punctuated only by the hum of the engine and the echoes of their shattered lives.