Herbert White
Michael Shannon stars in the role of Herbert White, a character based on the poem of the same name by Frank Bidart. The story follows Herbert as he works in the lumber industry, supports his family, and stalks and murders women he picks up in town. While Herbert is not exactly sympathetic, viewers are allowed to enter the mind of a serial killer, and realize that most of the time he behaves like everyone else. Movies like “Henry: Portrait of a Serial Killer” have done this before, but to successfully position the audience inside the mind of a complex human monster in 14 short minutes is quite a feat.
Insights
Plot Summary
A disturbed, isolated man named Herbert White, obsessed with cleanliness, lives alone with his collection of antique dolls. After his parents' death, his already fragile mental state deteriorates further as he believes they were victims of a murder plot orchestrated by his younger sister. Driven by this delusion, he embarks on a violent path to seek revenge.
Critical Reception
Herbert White is a later-career film by horror legend Tobe Hooper. While it aimed to explore psychological horror and the descent into madness, it received a mixed to negative reception from critics and audiences, often being cited for its graphic violence and underdeveloped narrative, though some acknowledged Hooper's signature directorial style.
What Reviewers Say
- The film is noted for its gratuitous and excessive gore.
- Many reviews pointed to a confusing and poorly executed plot.
- Some found the psychological elements to be underdeveloped.
Google audience: Audience reviews for Herbert White are scarce and generally unfavorable, with common criticisms focusing on the film's bleak tone, graphic content, and perceived lack of coherent storytelling.
Fun Fact
Tobe Hooper, the director, is famously known for directing the classic horror films 'The Texas Chain Saw Massacre' (1974) and 'Poltergeist' (1982).
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