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As we go through life, it’s easy to find ourselves influenced by the people around us—by the lifestyles, the personalities, and the beliefs. And in Henry Johnson, writer/director David Mamet explores the dangerous ways in which one character allows the people around him to make his decisions for him.
Henry Johnson stars Evan Jonigkeit as the title character, a quiet man who looks to the people around him to guide his moral beliefs—which only gets him into trouble, time after time. After he tries to help an old friend, his life is turned upside-down. He ends up in prison, where his cellmate, Gene (Shia LaBeouf), helps to guide him through his new life in this new setting. But each new person who tries to lead him along the way only takes him on another journey of manipulation and power.
Originally written for the stage, Henry Johnson maintains the intimate, stripped-down feel of a stage production. There’s nothing flashy about it—nothing to distract from the characters and their brisk dialogue. And while it may be little more than a few conversations between the title character and three other men, it doesn’t need anything else—because those conversations are incredibly captivating.
From the beginning, as Henry asks his boss (Chris Bauer) to consider hiring an old friend, Henry’s character is gradually unraveled. It doesn’t take long for the uneasiness to set in—but as Henry’s boss reveals more of the story, we see that Henry is a lonely and spineless man who’s an easy target for manipulation. And, of course, as soon as Henry arrives in his new cell, he’s immediately pegged as an easy mark by his fast-talking cellmate, who poses as a mentor, protector, and guide, only to steer Henry in a dangerous direction.
At times, Henry’s story is difficult to watch. He’s so naive—so desperate for the respect, the kindness, and the understanding that the people around him seem to offer—and it’s so clear that things won’t end well for the character. Admittedly, not everything in this simple film comes together flawlessly—but the simplicity allows viewers to focus on the mesmerizing, almost hypnotic, dialogue.
Henry Johnson is far from a likable character. He’s so desperate for friendship and respect that he can be easily manipulated into doing things he should instantly see as wrong. But while there isn’t much to this stage production on film, viewers will get caught up in the story of power and control.
You can join the conversation when Henry Johnson opens in select theaters on May 9, 2025—and continues to play in theaters throughout the summer. Or rent it online at HenryJohnsonMovie.com
Listen to the review on Reel Discovery:
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