H.H. Holmes: Original Evil

"H.H. Holmes: Original Evil" is a skilled orchestration of horror and true crime genres, riveting the audience with its intricate exploration of a spine-chilling chapter in American history. This gripping, semi-documentary styled film directed by Philip Gardiner features performances by O.H. Krill and Paul Hughes. They meticulously navigate through the harrowing tale of the infamous Herman Webster Mudgett, better known as H.H. Holmes, America's first recognized serial killer.

The film delves into the life and inhuman actions of Holmes, who terrorized Chicago during the late 19th century. But this is no ordinary true crime documentary; it avoids stereotypical dramatization while offering a comprehensive, fact-based and chilling portrayal of a conniving murderer who once held the city in his ghastly grip.

O.H. Krill, as narrator, and Paul Hughes, as Holmes, expertly bring to life the macabre darkness of the man and his crimes. They uncompromisingly illustrate Holmes' deceptively charming exterior that masked the cold-blooded killer within. Hughes’ depiction of Holmes is exceptionally unsettling, as he seems to embody the chilling essence of the man.

The film begins with a short introduction to Holmes' childhood, sketching an ominous picture of his fascination with human anatomy and meticulous dissection skills. As Holmes moves on to study medicine, his grim interests take a malevolent turn, spiraling into the atrocities that would render him infamous.

We also get a peek into Holmes' arrival in Chicago, a city bustling with dreams, ambition, and the fervor of the upcoming World's Columbian Exposition of 1893. This backdrop sets the stage for Holmes and his infamous "Murder Castle," filled with secret passages, trap doors, and rooms made to carry out his heinous crimes undisturbed.

Throughout the film, Gardiner takes us on a journey retelling the fatal trap that Holmes conceived and executed by capitalizing on the influx of people to the city during the Fair. It expands on the manipulative con artistry, insurance frauds, and bigamist escapades that H.H. Holmes committed alongside his gruesome murders. These sides of Holmes' life add depth to the atmosphere of dread and terror that this character fermented.

"H.H. Holmes: Original Evil" is as much about the killer as it is about the socio-political environment of that time – a rapidly developing city, increasing migration, the presence of immense wealth alongside extreme poverty, and the birth of the sensational journalistic era. This grand backdrop engenders both intrigue and an unsettling understanding of how a city came to be a playground for a scoop-hungry media and a deranged serial killer.

The film also wonders aloud about society's role in molding a murderer like Holmes, raising questions about human psychology, the nature of evil, and how normal people transform into monsters. The filmmakers weave a compelling tapestry of terror and psychology, history and mystery together, amplifying both the horror and fascination about the subject matter.

Audiences may be surprised at the lack of dramatic reenactments that usually pepper true crime documentaries. That's because this film's main strength is its storytelling. Guided by the precise, fact-heavy narrative from Krill, and an unsettling exploration of H.H. Holmes by Hughes, the movie maintains an almost mystifying tone that keeps the viewer captivated and at times terrified, not of what is seen but of what is left to the imagination.

"H.H. Holmes: Original Evil" unveils the shocking story of a man who led a double life – an upstanding citizen and business owner on the surface, but a cold-blooded killer below. Though this terse tale of terror is removed from us by more than a century, it holds up a disturbing mirror to our society's fascination with evil, reminding us of the terrible cost of man's inhumanity to man.

Rich in facts, detail and speculation, this film is a must-watch for those intrigued by the human psyche's dark corners, especially those interested in true crime. It is not merely a narrative of a serial killer. It’s also a thought-provoking exploration of our perception of evil, the allure of sensational journalism, and the cataclysmic consequences of unchecked ambition and unrestrained wickedness.