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Watching horror movies is all fun and games until it is midnight and every little noise feels like there is someone – or something – out to get you. Robert Pattinson is Not a fan! Despite being in a psychological thriller (The Lighthouse) himself, the actor simply doesn’t have it in himself to deal with the aftermath of watching these scary flicks that will most probably keep you up at night.

Robert Pattinson in Mickey 17 (2025) | Credits: Warner Bros. Pictures

He recently recalled an anecdote about how he fell asleep with not one, but two knives in his hands, afraid of intruders or entities coming into his house and giving him the scare of his life. Just when we thought Robert Pattinson couldn’t get more adorable…

Robert Pattinson and horror movies don’t go hand-in-hand Bong Joon-ho and Robert Pattinson | Credits: GQ / YouTube

For his upcoming film with Bong Joon-ho,...

You should always take a movie’s claims of being “based on a true story” with a grain of salt. Sure, The Texas Chain Saw Massacre is technically inspired by the crimes of Ed Gein and the Conjuring franchise more or less follows the Warrens’ case notes, but the fact is that most horror flicks are more interested in providing audiences with a good scare than informing the public about real events.

Of course, that’s not always the case. Over the years, several genre filmmakers have tried their hand at adapting horrific True Crime stories to the big screen without messing too much with the facts. And in honor of these intrepid storytellers, we’ve decided to come up with a list celebrating six True Crime horror movies.

For the purposes of this list, we’ll be defining True Crime Horror as any genre film that actively adapts a...

True Crime is well-treaded territory for horror. The '80s had its based-on-a-true-story boom, the '90s its gritty detectives, and the 2000s its thrillers that aimed to subvert it all. Through every era, portrayals of serial killers stand out. At the “true” end, Henry: Portrait of a Serial Killer and David Fincher’s Zodiac have captivated audiences and critics alike while fictional serial killers like Hannibal Lecter and Patrick Bateman are cultural staples. Fatih Akin, director of the acclaimed German film Head-On, tests the audience's love of depraved killers in The Golden Glove. A horror-comedy like the book it’s based on, The Golden Glove doesn’t use the dissonant genre to make light of murder. Instead, it leans into the absurdity of red flags exhibited by these offenders and how the beliefs of those around them condone their atrocities.

Real-life serial killers have inspired countless films and TV shows. For instance, "Psycho," "The Texas Chainsaw Saw Massacre," and "The Silence of the Lambs" are all downstream from Ed Gein, the Wisconsin factotum who committed murder, grave robbery, and other grisly crimes during the mid-1950s. These may be great films but they are all strictly inspired by serial killers rather than about them. This article considers those films that depict killers' lives close to how they were rather than creating composite characters and other inventions. It also includes films that may not be entirely faithful to the historical record but are compelling enough to give an insight into real-world killers and their crimes.

These movies aim to capture balanced insight into their subjects. Some, like "Monster," show how abuse begets abuse, whereas others, such as "Citizen X," reflect how prejudice and ideology can allow a criminal to kill unchecked.

One of the most disturbing horror movies ever made, Henry: Portrait of a Serial Killer is the latest classic horror movie to get a retro-style VHS release here in the modern era.

From Dark Sky Selects, the 1986 horror movie is now available on VHS for $29.98!

Acclaimed by the critics as a masterpiece of modern horror, director John McNaughton’s Henry: Portrait of a Serial Killer is presented here totally uncut and uncensored.

The film is based on the horrific true-life crimes of Henry Lee Lucas.

“Widely heralded as one of the greatest serial killer movies of all time, Henry: Portrait of a Serial Killer presents a bleak and unflinching dive into the mind of a mass murderer.

“Recently released from prison, the nomadic Henry (Michael Rooker) finds temporary abode in the rundown Chicago lodgings of a former jail acquaintance and small-time drug dealer, Otis (Tom Towles). Hiding behind his unremarkable employment as a pest exterminator,...

In the article series Sound and Vision we take a look at music videos from notable directors. This week: The Resident's Floyd, directed by John McNaughton. John McNaughton has been working on the periphery of the mainstream with films like Henry: Portrait of a Serial Killer, Wild Things and Mad Dog and Glory, but I have the impression he rather would fly somewhat under the radar and be part of the counterculture. This impression harkens back partly to passion projects like the Rebel Highway-episode Girls in Prison, a deliciously raunchy romp in the exploitation-genre, like Wild Things is too. But it also is because of his film Condo Painting, a documentary about George Condo, the counterculture painter and artists whose style is immediately recognizable. Condo...

[Read the whole post on screenanarchy.com...]...

Some of the greatest horror movies draw inspiration from real-life killers. Whether it be Henry Lee Lucas's influence on Henry: Portrait of a Serial Killer (1986) or Ed Gein's influence on Alfred Hitchcock's Psycho (1960), true crime and horror have long gone hand in hand. Yet, there is one infamous family of cannibals that has had a substantial influence on film, literature, and video games whose victims were said to be over a thousand, the notorious Sawney Bean family.

One of the best movies to bring this legend to light is Rob Schmidt's shocking 2003 film Wrong Turn. The 2000s horror movie was an early purveyor of extreme cinema in the mainstream, predating 2004's Saw and 2005's Wolf Creek. The movie was a hit with fans and would go on to spawn many sequels and a remake; with such gruesome inspiration, it is not a surprise Wrong Turn saw success among horror hounds.

Currently underway at the the Nitehawk Cinema in Prospect Park, “Portraits of Wild Things: The Films of John McNaughton” is a long overdue retrospective of the Chicago-based filmmaker of Henry: Portrait of a Serial Killer (1986). Like The Texas Chain Saw Massacre (1974), I’ve always felt that the most exploitative aspect of McNaughton’s film was its title—it sounds like something you shouldn’t take joy in watching even if you’re even depraved enough to seek it out in the first place. Critically praised upon its (much delayed) release, Henry provided McNaughton with a path to mainstream success, even as the filmmaker […]

The post Cap’n Crunch and the Serial Killer: John McNaughton on His Career first appeared on Filmmaker Magazine.

Currently underway at the the Nitehawk Cinema in Prospect Park, “Portraits of Wild Things: The Films of John McNaughton” is a long overdue retrospective of the Chicago-based filmmaker of Henry: Portrait of a Serial Killer (1986). Like The Texas Chain Saw Massacre (1974), I’ve always felt that the most exploitative aspect of McNaughton’s film was its title—it sounds like something you shouldn’t take joy in watching even if you’re even depraved enough to seek it out in the first place. Critically praised upon its (much delayed) release, Henry provided McNaughton with a path to mainstream success, even as the filmmaker […]

The post Cap’n Crunch and the Serial Killer: John McNaughton on His Career first appeared on Filmmaker Magazine.

When we think of monsters on this channel, most of the time its from a fictional, mythical, or legendary monster like the Mummy, Wolfman, Dracula, or Frankenstein’s Monster. On this specific show, however, a Monster can take on a whole new meaning. I joke that half of these episodes will be about reportedly true possessions and while that will probably hold fast, there is another type of monster we have discussed a few times. The guy that loosely inspired the Scream killings, Henry from Henry: Portrait of a Serial Killer, and today’s subject Aileen Wuornos. The movie made about her is literally called Monster and put director Patty Jenkins and star Charlize Theron, at least in terms of her being seen as an A list actor who can actually act, on the map. It’s a straightforward telling of a murderer that of course adds nuance and even...

John McNaughton is a filmmaker without prejudice when it comes to genre or budget; the stark horror of “Henry: Portrait of a Serial Killer” is as far from the deliriously gorgeous excess of “Wild Things” as that film is from the experimental documentary “Condo Painting,” and “Mad Dog and Glory” proves McNaughton could have been an accomplished studio stylist had he chosen to go that way.

The variety in his work stems from how McNaughton has always seen directing — and life — as an endeavor that necessitated trying new things. “Before I became a filmmaker, there were many things I wanted to do, and I did them,” McNaughton told IndieWire. “I joined a traveling carnival, built sailboats, and when I lived in New Orleans, I wound up buying silver jewelry and cutting gemstones. Because life is an adventure. And once I became a filmmaker, it was a similar thing.”

From September...

Stars: Lora Burke, Robert Notman, Will Conlon | Written by J. Gordon Ross | Directed by Navin Ramaswaran

Sometimes, just sometimes, you sit down to watch a horror film and you wonder whether the people behind the film are as twisted as the film they’ve created. Agnes is a perfect example of that. How J. Gordon Ross knows so much about the psyche of a psychopathic serial killer is beyond me…

Agnes lives in a state of dreamy contemplation, her powerful mind twisted by insanity. Her talent, discipline and willpower are impressive, but her lack of empathy has led her down a path of violence and murder. Mike Mercer is a private investigator researching a cold case. His investigation leads him to Agnes. He has no idea what he’s getting himself into. Once Agnes has him where she wants him, she captures Mike, keeping him locked in her basement. She...

"The Thing," "The Vanishing," "The Shining," "Henry: Portrait of a Serial Killer," "Friday The 13th," "Sleepaway Camp," "A Nightmare on Elm Street 2: Freddy's Revenge," "Threads," "David Cronenberg's 'Videodrome'," "The Fly," "The Howling," "The Blob," "The Beyond," "The Burning," "The House on Sorority Row," "The Final," "The Prowler," "The Prey," "The Mutilator," "The Slumber Party Massacre," "The New York Ripper," "The Evil Dead," "The Exorcist III," "The Changeling," "The Amityville Horror," "The Hunger," "The Dead Zone," "The Fog," "The Beyond," "The Burning," "The House on Sorority Row," "The Final," "The Prowler," "The Prey," "The Mutilator," "The Slumber Party Massacre," "The New York Ripper," "The Evil Dead," "The Exorcist III," "The Changeling," "The Amityville Horror," "The Hunger," "The

Warning! This article contains spoilers for every film listed.

The 1980s were full of horror movie classics, many of which bore some incredibly shocking endings. Of all the decades of filmmaking, the...

Kevin Costner’s magnum opus, Horizon: An American Saga, features a star studded cast. (Photo Credit – Instagram)

Kevin Costner’s magnum opus, Horizon: An American Saga, is finally ready to hit the screens. The epic Western film series comprises four parts, with the first one, Chapter 1, releasing in theaters on June 28th, 2024.

The movie, co-written, directed, produced by, and starring Kevin Costner, tells the tale of the expansion of the American West before and after the Civil War. Apart from Costner, several other big names are also going to be seen in the project. Here is the complete cast and character guide of Horizon: An American Saga – Chapter 1.

Kevin Costner as Hayes Ellison

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A post shared by Michael Rooker (@michael_rooker)

Yellowstone star Kevin Costner plays the lead role of Hayes Ellison, a loner and reclusive man with sharp survival skills, who often finds himself in dangerous situations.

For the past three years, the American Cinematheque has presented “Bleak Week,” an annual festival devoted to the greatest films ever made about the darkest side of humanity. This year, the festival will not only be unspooling in Los Angeles June 1 – 7 — with special guests including Al Pacino, Lynne Ramsay, Charlie Kaufman, and Karyn Kusama — but will travel to New York for the first time with a week of screenings at the historic Paris Theater starting June 9.

“We are honored to co-present ‘Bleak Week: New York’ in partnership with one of the most beautiful movie palaces in the world,” Cinematheque artistic director Grant Moninger told IndieWire. “This year, over 10,000 people will attend ‘Bleak Week: Year 3’ in Los Angeles, proving that audiences are hungry for such powerful and confrontational cinema. Many people thought they were alone in their desire to explore films with uncomfortable truths, but the truth is that they are part of a large community,...

Dark Sky Films Announces The Launch Of Dark Sky Selects: "Dark Sky Films today announced the launch of their newly created, Dark Sky Selects, a new specialty label bringing some of our best films to the collector's market with limited edition packaging, restored transfers and new special features. These new limited editions will offer die-hard fans and collectors new upgrades of many of their longtime favorite Dark Sky Films, produced for the purpose of making the definitive edition of these classics and modern favorites.

The first official release from Dark Sky Selects will be Hatchet: The Complete Collection Limited Edition Steelbook, which is being released in June and will be available for pre-order at Texas Frightmare Weekend starting tomorrow. This marks the first time all four of Adam Green’s iconic Hatchet films will be available together in one package.

Green's iconic Hatchet series returns in a blood-soaked, fully Unrated collection,...

Found in your local “Shower After Watching” section of the suspicious flea market around the corner is 1993’s Skinner. And it’s probably the only movie in that bin to feature an acting performance from daytime talk show host Ricki Lake. Seriously.

This little piece of rarely spoken about horror history is one part Henry: Portrait of a Serial Killer and one-part uncategorizable madness that I’m semi-shocked is still available to watch at all, much less to be reached in an instant on Tubi.

In the film, directed by feature director turned porn director Ivan Nagy, Dennis Skinner (the great Ted Raimi) is an active serial killer who murders mostly prostitutes and then skins them, stitches them back together and wears them while talking about his childhood and saying things like “This really is the clothing…..for a divine soul.”

Skinner darkens the doorway of Kerry Tate (Ricki Lake...

Yet another trio of Dark Sky Films titles have made their way onto Screambox, joining previously dropped classics Willow Creek, Minor Premise, and The Deeper You Dig (details), as well as Ghost Killers vs. Bloody Mary, Landlocked, and Possum (details), and even Henry: Portrait of a Serial Killer 1 & 2 and Emelie (details).

All of them have a taste for blood…

First, Stake Land, the Jim Mickle-directed vampire classic that set the stage for his cannibal horror We Are What We Are and the Netflix series “Sweet Tooth”.

In the film, “America has fallen. A vampiric scourge sweeps the nation, turning brother on brother and parent on child as the blood-hungry beasts take deeper and deeper hold upon the land. It’s hard for the survivors to know whether to be more afraid of the creatures themselves or the violent religious groups that have sprung up in response, but there is...

Peter Jackson has had a long and successful career that has earned him three Academy Awards, including Best Director in 2004 for The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King. He's made 14 feature-length films and has directed several popular documentaries, including the highly praised The Beatles: Get Back. Many associate him with his big-budget studio projects like The Lord of the Rings, or King Kong, but it was his earlier career-making splatter comedies in New Zealand that started his career and gave reason to call him the king of gore.

These movies were made with passion, fun, and often homemade props and camera rigs. They may not have made the same level of money, or carry the same level of prestige, but these are the types of movies that Peter Jackson should return to someday. This is why Peter Jackson needs to return to the horror genre.

Update...

Halloween has come and gone but the horror lifestyle continues, and Screambox has a November jam-packed with goodies ranging from the streaming premiere of our theatrical event film Onyx the Fortuitous and the Talisman of Souls, the long-awaited 1986 Halloweentime classic Trick or Treat, the cult horror Linnea Quigley’s Horror Workout, and much, much more.

Halloween may be over, but rock and roll will never die with Trick or Treat! The ’80s cult classic has made its streaming debut on Screambox with a new 4K restoration by Synapse Films and Red Shirt Pictures.

Shape up with Linnea Quigley’s Horror Workout exclusively on Screambox on November 3. The scream queen hosts a deadly exercise video parody with zombies, slashers, and B-movie clips.

Slay bells will ring when Secret Santa streams on Screambox on November 7. Jason Goes to Hell: The Final Friday director Adam Marcus returns to the genre with a holiday...

Halloween is here and Screambox has unloaded a ton of new horror films this October, including Shaky Shivers, More Brains! A Return to the Living Dead, HeBGB TV, Henry: Portrait of a Serial Killer, and even the 1986 classic Trick or Treat, streaming for the very first time!

Celebrate Halloween with the Screambox Exclusive Help! My In-Laws Are Vampires. In the tradition of The Munsters and The Addams Family, the Italian horror-comedy romp is now streaming on Screambox!

In the family horror-comedy, “Luna and Adalberto, a beautiful young couple, discover they are expecting a baby, so the time has come for Adalberto to introduce his girlfriend to his noble family, which he is hesitant about.

“Is it because he has a vampire father, a witch mother, a ghost grandmother and a zombie uncle?”

Other October highlights include transgressive horror staple Henry: Portrait of a Serial Killer starring Michael Rooker; Willow Creek,...

Yet another trio of Dark Sky Films titles have made their way onto Screambox, joining previously dropped classics Willow Creek, Minor Premise, and The Deeper You Dig (details), as well as Ghost Killers vs. Bloody Mary, Landlocked, and Possum (details).

First, the criminally underseen babysitter thriller Emelie, a taut thriller that will definitely surprise many of you.

I was blown away by Michael Thelin‘s debut feature which is highlighted by star Sarah Bolger, who delivers a chilling performance that would make any parent check twice before hiring a new babysitter.

In the film… “After their regular babysitter Maggie can’t make it, the Thompson family turns to her friend Anna to supervise their children while the parents celebrate their anniversary. At first, Anna seems like a dream come true to the kids, allowing them to eat extra cookies and play with things that are usually off-limits. Still, as her behavior becomes increasingly odd,...

Door, an extremely rare home invasion slasher movie from 1988 that has never been screened outside of Japan and has just been remastered, is now streaming exclusively on Screambox!

In the film…

“A lonely housewife is held hostage in her own apartment by an increasingly deranged door-to-door salesman in this forgotten home invasion masterpiece.”

The final 20 minutes are bonkers!

Directed by Banmei Takahashi, the story behind Door is extremely interesting.

Many of you may remember Director’s Company, a Japanese production company from 1982-1992 that was made up of many legends of Japanese cinema including Kiyoshi Kurosawa, Sogo Ishii, Shinji Somai, and others.

They made many amazing Japanese films but also broke ground for genre cinema in Japan including the cult classic Evil Dead Trap. Before Evil Dead Trap they made the first Giallo film in Japan… Door. Interestingly, Kiyoshi Kurosawa directed the film’s sequel!

Halloween is almost here and Screambox‘s October has been jam-packed,...

Door, an extremely rare home invasion slasher movie from 1988 that has never been screened outside of Japan and has just been remastered, is making its way to Screambox tomorrow!

In the film, “A lonely housewife is held hostage in her own apartment by an increasingly deranged door-to-door salesman in this forgotten home invasion masterpiece.”

Directed by Banmei Takahashi, the story behind Door is extremely interesting.

Many of you may remember Director’s Company, a Japanese production company from 1982-1992 that was made up of many legends of Japanese cinema including Kiyoshi Kurosawa, Sogo Ishii, Shinji Somai, and others.

They made many amazing Japanese films but also broke ground for genre cinema in Japan including the cult classic Evil Dead Trap. Before Evil Dead Trap they made the first Giallo film in Japan… Door. Interestingly, Kiyoshi Kurosawa directed the film’s sequel!

The final 20 minutes are bonkers… trust us!!

Halloween is almost...

Every year, horror fans attempt the daunting task of watching a horror movie for each day in the month of October. Aptly named 31 Days of Horror, the challenge usually consists of having viewers watch a mixture of their favorite classic horror films, as well as popular genre staples and recent releases that may be new to them. In celebration of the spooky season, we at MovieWeb have assembled our own suggestions for the month, providing a plethora of favorites from our contributing editors and writers. Check out our 31 Days of Horror posts every day this October, and embrace all the freaky found footage, stalking slashers, and vicious vampires that you could ever hope for. Today, we kick off Day Sixteen of MovieWeb’s 31 Days of Horror with the shocking 1986 psychological horror film Henry: Portrait of a Serial Killer.

Released theatrically in 1990, after attracting acclaim and controversy on the film festival...

Halloween is almost here and Screambox has revealed the new films that are joining the horror streaming service in October, including Shaky Shivers, More Brains! A Return to the Living Dead, HeBGB TV, Henry: Portrait of a Serial Killer, and more!

More Brains! A Return to the Living Dead exclusively joins Screambox’s extensive collection of horror documentaries on October 3. It chronicles the 1985 zombie classic The Return of the Living Dead with cast and crew, including stars Clu Gulager, James Karen, Don Calfa, Thom Mathews, and Linnea Quigley, Night of the Living Dead co-creator John A. Russo, and the final interview with director Dan O’Bannon.

Tune in to the Screambox Exclusive horror-comedy HeBGB TV on October 13. For fans of V/H/S and Wnuf, the hyperactive anthology about a multidimensional cable box has drawn comparisons to Pee Wee’s Playhouse, Goosebumps, Rick & Morty, and I Think You Should Leave. Do...

The best X-rated movies, now known as Nc-17 rated movies, push boundaries and showcase masterpieces that have been branded with a scandalous reputation. These movies earn their rating due to graphic violence, sex, or language, and include notable films like Blue Valentine and Bad Lieutenant. While the X and Nc-17 rating may be controversial, there is no denying the greatness of these movies, which offer unique and compelling storytelling.

The following article contains discussion of sexuality and violence.

While the rating itself carries a somewhat scandalous reputation, the best X rated movies, otherwise known as Nc-17 rated movies, show that there are some great movies that have pushed these boundaries. When the MPAA film rating system was introduced in 1968, the X rating was used to restrict movies that were even too extreme for the R rating and meant no children could be admitted to the movie. This was changed to...

Clockwise from top left: Oldboy (Cj Entertainment), Antichrist (IFC Films), Frontier(s) (EuropaCorp), Audition (Vitagraph Films)Graphic: AVClub

In 1983, horror movie maestro David Cronenberg was asked why movie audiences like scary films. His answer was that “most people would prefer to [confront their fears] in a metaphorical way, in a controlled way. They...

This article discusses cinematic depictions of sexual violence.

Once in a while, an R-rated movie is an experience that we're not sure we're meant to enjoy. Not like the taboo excitement of true crime, or the cathartic pain that comes with some documentaries. More like a feeling that we're not sure about who the intended audience is for this film ... and, dear God, are we that audience? We're watching something that skates off the edge of good taste, and just maybe, we're enjoying it.

It's an artistic conundrum that's fueled decades of controversy and censorship, from the famous "I know obscenity when I see it" Supreme Court trial to the U.K.'s all-too-familiar-today right wing conservative dalliance in the '80s with cleansing the landscape of the "video nasty." They're films from the famous to the infamous, movies that revel in pushing the boundaries. Sometimes there's a thoughtful message underneath the morass.

Before becoming one of the most divisive filmmakers in horror with the likes of Halloween and The Munsters, Rob Zombie was just a musician trying his hand at the film industry. House of 1000 Corpses came together fairly quickly following a failed attempt to reboot The Crow, but the rock star’s Hollywood career almost never was due to post-production controversy that left his directorial debut on the shelf for three years.

Production on Corpses was completed in 2000 before Universal Studios refused to release it due to its objectionable content. MGM later came on board to distribute it in 2002 until a tongue-in-cheek remark by Zombie caused them to cancel the deal. Finally, Lions Gate signed on and released it in April of 2003, launching Zombie’s film career as well as a franchise that would be followed by 2005’s The Devil’s Rejects and 2019’s 3 from Hell.

Unsure if he’d ever...

It’s time for a new episode of the Wtf Really Happened to This Horror Movie? video series, and in this one we’re looking at the tragic true events that inspired the 2003 shark thriller Open Water (watch it Here). To find out all about it, check out the video embedded above.

Wtf Really Happened to This Horror Movie? is sort of a spin-off from our show Wtf Happened to This Horror Movie. Wtf Really Happened to This Horror Movie? dives into movies that were based on or “inspired by” true stories, real people, and actual historical events so we can try to separate fact from fiction.

Written and directed by Chris Kentis, Open Water has the following synopsis: Daniel and Susan embark on a tropical vacation with their scuba-diving certifications in tow. During a group dive, the two separate themselves from the others to dive a little deeper. An...

John McNaughton remembers the first time he read the script for Wild Things, the rampantly sexy neo-noir from 1998. The director – then best known for the grim, ever-contentious Henry: Portrait of a Serial Killer – needed a commercial film. “To ingratiate myself into Hollywood to some degree,” he tells me.

In the story, two Florida teens from opposite sides of the tracks – bitchy socialite offspring Kelly (Denise Richards) and swamp-dwelling trailer trash Suzie (Neve Campbell) – accuse their dishy guidance counsellor Sam Lombardo (Matt Dillon) of rape. Lombardo is then investigated by dodgy cop Ray Duquette (Kevin Bacon).

“I was lying in bed reading the script and I could see it coming that Matt Dillon was falsely accused,” recalls McNaughton. “I thought, Ok this is some TV movie, I know where this is going, so I skipped ahead to the last three pages.” But the end was so unexpected that McNaughton had “no...

A new episode of the Wtf Really Happened to This Horror Movie? video series has just been released, and in this one we’re looking into the real world crimes that inspired director Brian Yuzna’s 1996 horror film The Dentist (watch it Here). To find out all about it, check out the video embedded above.

Scripted by Stuart Gordon, Dennis Paoli, and Charles Finch, The Dentist has the following synopsis: Dr. Alan Feinstone is a rich and successful Beverly Hills dentist. There’s only one problem, he’s insane. Dr. Feistone loves perfection, and he expects it of everyone. Unfortunately, no one is perfect. This unacceptable fact annoys the good doctor and leads him to commit his one small imperfection: murder.

The film stars Corbin Bernsen, Linda Hoffman, Michael Stadvec, Ken Foree, Tony Noakes, Molly Hagan, Patty Toy, Jan Hoag, Virginya Keehne, Earl Boen, Christa Sauls, Mark Ruffalo, Lise Simms,...

We’re getting this week started with a new episode of the Wtf Really Happened to This Horror Movie? video series, and this time we’re looking at the awful true crime story behind the 2007 film The Girl Next Door (watch it Here). To find out all about the crimes that inspired the movie, check out the video embedded above.

Based on a novel by Jack Ketchum, The Girl Next Door was directed by Gregory Wilson from a screenplay by Daniel Farrands and Philip Nutman. The film has the following synopsis: A teen suffers horrible abuse at the hands of her caretaker, who also encourages the neighborhood boys to torment the girl.

Farrands is best known for writing Halloween: The Curse of Michael Myers, and has also directed the documentaries His Name Was Jason, Never Sleep Again, Scream: The Inside Story, and Crystal Lake Memories, as well as the films The Amityville Murders,...

Movie robots are inherently cool. They're brought to life by the best special effects available, like Phil Tippett's amazing stop-motion, or puppeteers inside detailed suits. From Kenny Baker within Lucasfilm's famous R2-D2 bucket to the pair of stuntmen, Frankie Carpenter and Frankie Darro, who brought Robby the Robot to life, there are a bunch of ways to pull it off.

But most movie robots require bearing a couple of things in mind. One is if the audience is supposed to empathize with them, which means comforting, funny voices — Tars, for example — or human-ish eyes, like Optimus Prime. The other is how close are they to falling into the uncanny valley. We're wired to notice when something doesn't look quite right, and some movie robots benefit from using that to scare the hell out of us. There's another level of robot movie power to discuss, and that's how...

There are few movies quite like "Henry: Portrait of a Serial Killer." It's a grim, gruesome horror film loosely based on the real-life serial killers Henry Lee Lucas and Otis Toole. The movie was given an X rating upon its release in 1986 for its intense, unrelenting violence, but it managed to become a cult classic on VHS. The film would introduce the world to filmmaker John McNaughton and lead actor Michael Rooker, but it would also help inspire an entire generation of horror filmmakers. Along with other grimy horror movies like the 1980 film "Maniac," "Henry" served as a response to the supernatural silliness of many of the decade's popular slasher franchises. It is a brutal, stomach-churning experience that almost feels like it's obscene, like you shouldn't be watching it.

In an interview with RogerEbert.com to celebrate the film's 30th anniversary in 2016, McNaughton was asked about the origins of this disturbing bit of cinema.

Peter Jackson's 1992 film "Braindead," released in North America as "Dead Alive," while certainly an object of intimidation for gore-averse cineastes, remains, at its heart, a comedy film. Jackson has spoken in the past about how "Dead Alive" was not inspired so much by raw, hard-edged gore films like "Cannibal Holocaust," and more by the whimsical violence of "Monty Python and the Holy Grail." A notable scene in the 1974 comedy classic features a bridge sentry, the Black Knight (John Cleese), getting into a swordfight with King Arthur (Graham Chapman). Over the course of the fight, his extremities are sliced off one by one, only to return to battle unfazed. While blood spurts copiously from each severed limb, the Black Knight doesn't seem to feel any pain. 

When he is reduced to a mere head and torso, only then will he admit that his swordfight will now have to be declared a draw.

Some actors inhabit their roles so thoroughly that it turns audiences off. Jack Gleeson's turn as the abominable Joffrey Baratheon in HBO's adapted "Game of Thrones" series immediately comes to mind. Actors inhabiting the role of an unsavory character have to hit a Goldilocks zone between a believable performance and capturing a repulsive character "a little too well," but scratch the surface of revolted viewers and you'll find plenty who appreciate what the actor brought.

Such was the case for Michael Rooker, star of John McNaughton's grimy 1986 cult classic "Henry: Portrait of a Serial Killer" loosely based on convicted real-world serial killers Henry Lee Lucas and Ottis Toole (played by Tom Towles). The film's handling of its subject matter is so raw that controversy naturally emerged alongside its release; its graphic depiction of several murders earned "Henry" an X rating from the MPAA and solidified it as a...

It’s time for a new episode of the video series Wtf Really Happened to This Horror Movie?, and in this one we’re looking into the disturbing, tragic real world events that inspired the classic 1987 horror thriller The Stepfather (watch it Here). To find out all about it, check out the video embedded above.

Wtf Really Happened to This Horror Movie? is sort of a spin-off from our show Wtf Happened to This Horror Movie. Wtf Really Happened to This Horror Movie? dives into movies that were based on or “inspired by” true stories, real people, and actual historical events so we can try to separate fact from fiction.

Directed by Joseph Ruben from a screenplay by popular crime novelist Donald E. Westlake (who crafted the story with

Carolyn Lefcourt and Death Wish author Brian Garfield), The Stepfather has the following synopsis:

Jerry Blake is a family man, but...

Despite what popular perception might be, a lot of horror fans watch scary movies to get away from life’s harsh realities. So in a way, basing a horror on something that actually happened defeats the point. But the fact is it’s all in the telling. We’ve been quite strict about not including things that were just loosely inspired by a real event, with the majority of the story a fiction. So no Psycho or Texas Chain Saw Massacre (both inspired by Ed Gein) and no The Exorcist (the book was inspired by a real boy) etc.

Without further ado, here are our favourite horrors based on real events.

Dead Ringers (1988)

Arguably the last flat-out masterpiece of David Cronenberg’s exceptional mid-1970s/late-1980s run of films, Dead Ringers also marked a transitional moment for the filmmaker as he ventured beyond the visceral body horror he was...

Trigger Warning: The following contains references to violence and sexual assault. Perhaps one of the most disturbing films of all time, John McNaughton's Henry: Portrait of a Serial Killer feels like a true independent film that distresses audiences through its casualness. While serial killer movies often instill fear through bursts of wild kills and bloody deaths, this picture utilizes the deliberate pace to unapologetically show how brutal its titular character is. The kills are slow, in your face, and utterly revolting, even embodying some elements of a snuff film: it feels real, and in some respects, it is. Systematically drawing from the crimes of Henry Lee Lucas and Ottis Toole, McNaughton's work is a shining example of a film that dares to horrify, without all the cheapness and effects. Everything in this picture is a methodical burning build-up that never seems to stop, even as it ends.

Director/Tfh Guru Mick Garris discusses his favorite year in film, 1986, with hosts Josh Olson and Joe Dante.

Show Notes:

Movies Referenced In This Episode

Stir of Echoes (1999)

The Sixth Sense (1999)

The Fly (1958) – Jesus Treviño’s trailer commentary

*The Fly (1986) – Katt Shea’s trailer commentary

The Fly II (1989)

Fuzzbucket (1986)

The Howling (1981) – Josh Olson’s trailer commentary, Randy Fuller’s wine pairings

Gremlins (1984) – Glenn Erickson’s Blu-ray review, Tfh’s Mogwai Madness

Alien (1979) – Josh Olson’s trailer commentary, Randy Fuller’s wine pairings

*Aliens (1986) – Glenn Erickson’s Blu-ray review

The Terminator (1984) – Adam Rifkin’s trailer commentary

The Brood (1979) – Josh Olson’s trailer commentary, Glenn Erickson’s Blu-ray review

Kramer vs. Kramer (1979)

Scanners (1981) – Mick Garris’s trailer commentary

Fast Company (1979)

Rabid (1977) – Mick Garris’s trailer commentary, Glenn Erickson’s Blu-ray review

Shivers (1975)

Crimes of the Future (1970)

Crimes of the Future (2022)

Stereo (1969)

Rambo: First Blood Part II (1985) – Alan Spencer’s trailer commentary

Stand By Me...

Kathryn Bigelow’s vampire movie Near Dark – the best vampire movie released in 1987 – has been famously hard to find on streaming over the years, but we’ve learned that it’ll soon be available to stream once again this Halloween season thanks to the Criterion Channel!

Beginning October 1, Criterion’s streaming service will have the “80s Horror Collection” up for grabs, a 30-film collection that includes Near Dark among several other horror classics.

The collection includes films from Dario Argento, Kathryn Bigelow, John Carpenter, Larry Cohen, David Cronenberg, Tobe Hooper, Michael Mann, Ken Russell, Paul Schrader, and more.

The full “80s Horror Collection” lineup includes…

Inferno, Dario Argento, 1980 The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Miss Osbourne, Walerian Borowczyk, 1981 Dead & Buried, Gary Sherman, 1981 The House by the Cemetery, Lucio Fulci, 1981 The Funhouse, Tobe Hooper, 1981 Strange Behavior, Michael Laughlin, 1981 Wolfen, Michael Wadleigh, 1981 Scanners, David Cronenberg, 1981 Road Games, Richard Franklin, 1981 The Fan,...

If you’re a horror fan with a subscription to the Criterion Channel, you’ve got a hell of a month to look forward to. The streaming service will kick off the Halloween season with a collection of thirty of the best ’80s horror movies out there. With movies from Dario Argento, John Carpenter, David Cronenberg, Tobe Hooper, and more, there’s something for everyone, from Amy Holden Jones’ sleazy slasher The Slumber Party Massacre to Kathryn Bigelow’s cult classic vampire thriller Near Dark.

Mark your calendars: '80s Horror—our 30-film collection featuring films by Dario Argento, Kathryn Bigelow, John Carpenter, Larry Cohen, David Cronenberg, Tobe Hooper, Michael Mann, Ken Russell, Paul Schrader, and more—is coming to the @criterionchannl on October 1! pic.twitter.com/QIIyFaEO20

— Criterion Collection (@Criterion) September 22, 2022 Related The Best 80s Vampire Movies

This collection of ’80s horror was curated by Clyde Folley and will...

One of my great memories from the, put one way, debatable year of 2020 was Criterion Channel’s “’70s Horror,” a program that did what it said on the tin while offering discoveries aplenty—Texas Chain Saw next to Let’s Scare Jessica to Death, Deathdream given equal prominence as The Wicker Man. It is of course a delight to see they’re picking up their own baton with next month’s “’80s Horror,” which again runs a canon-to-obscurity gamut. Scanners, Near Dark, and Prince of Darkness will of course appear, but I’d just as soon direct people to Wolfen, Society, and The Keep—which made my jaw drop just a bit, given how averse Michael Mann seems towards any exhibition of it.

Criterion have released a nifty trailer encapsulating the spooks and scares to come. Find it below, as well as the full list of titles and more on the Criterion Channel.

Plot: Between 1978 and 1991, Jeffrey Dahmer gruesomely took the lives of seventeen innocent victims. Dahmer – Monster: The Jeffrey Dahmer Story is a series that exposes these unconscionable crimes, centered around the underserved victims and their communities impacted by the systemic racism and institutional failures of the police that allowed one of America’s most notorious serial killers to continue his murderous spree in plain sight for over a decade.

Review: The clumsily titled Dahmer – Monster: The Jeffrey Dahmer Story is at once one of the best and one of the worst series of 2022. As Ryan Murphy’s mega-deal with Netflix chugs along, this true crime drama tries to take a unique vantage on one of the most disturbing figures of the 20th century. While managing the most gruesome elements of Dahmer’s crimes from the perspective of his mutilated victims, Monster is at once a well-filmed and structured series that...

Fresh content is added to the JoBlo Horror Originals YouTube channel every day of the week, and we’re getting this week started with a new episode of the series Wtf Really Happened to This Horror Movie? This episode digs into the true events that inspired the incredibly intense and unsettling film Henry: Portrait of a Serial Killer (watch it Here) – and you can find out all about it in the video embedded above!

Wtf Really Happened to This Horror Movie? is sort of a spin-off from our show Wtf Happened to This Horror Movie. Wtf Really Happened to This Horror Movie? dives into movies that were based on or “inspired by” true stories, real people, and actual historical events so we can try to separate fact from fiction.

Directed by John McNaughton from a screenplay he wrote with Richard Fire, Henry: Portrait of a Serial Killer has the following...

Stars: Bruce Willis, Dan Payne, Michael Rooker, Brennan Mejia, Tom Cavanagh | Written and Directed by Sean Patrick O’Reilly

Corrective Measures, an odd mix of action, prison, science fiction and monster movies, opens with a parking garage execution gone wrong as a band of goons led by what appears to be a werewolf are wiped out by the vigilante known as Payback just so he can have the pleasure of killing their intended victim himself before the cops arrest him. He’s sent to prison, but not just any prison, he’s going to San Tiburon which seems to be this world’s answer to the MCU’s Vault. Only it’s run by a private company and Warden Devlin is as corrupt as any of the inmates.

News clips under the credits and an interview with Warden, or Overseer as he prefers to be called, Devlin brings the viewer up...

Director John McNaughton made his name in Hollywood with subversive thrillers like 1998’s “Wild Things” and the 1986 seminal serial killer pic “Henry: Portrait of A Serial Killer.” The latter film gave “The Walking Dead” actor Michael Rooker one of his big breakout lead roles. Now, the two are set to work together once again.

Read More: Keira Knightley To Star In 1960s Serial Killer Drama ‘Boston Strangler’ From Director Matt Ruskin & Producer Ridley Scott

Deadline reports that the pair finally reunites after four decades for a new serial killer picture being compared to Showtime‘s “Dexter.” The new pic “Road Rage” will “center on a serial killer who only kills those who deserve to die—presenting a modern hero who is a bad guy gone good, protecting the innocent and punishing the guilty.”

Rooker returns to his “Henry” roots as he plays a truck driver named Stony that kills people...

Filmmaker John McNaughton and actor Michael Rooker, the team who created the classic, Henry: Portrait of a Serial Killer, will reteam, after thirty years, on a new film titled Road Rage, the first in a vigilante film series. Tim Perell will produce through his banner, Process Media.

In 1986, McNaughton co-wrote and directed the award winning and critically acclaimed film Henry: Portrait of a Serial Killer. Called “truly disturbing” by John Waters, the groundbreaking film was a huge crossover hit with genre fans as well as the art house crowd. The film won best picture awards at both the Sitges and Brussels International Film Festivals and was nominated along with McNaughton and Rooker individually for 6 Independent Spirit Awards in 1991. Time Magazine and Roger Ebert both named it one of the top ten films of the year.

Henry: Portrait of a Serial Killer also marked the feature film debut for award-winning actor Michael Rooker,...