H.H. Holmes: America's First Serial Killer

H.H. Holmes: America's First Serial Killer

The Castle. The Murder. The Monster.

Directed by John Borowski

Produced by Waterfront Productions

200464 min6.2 / 10

A grim documentary chronicle of a historical serial killer's methodical construction of torture devices and systematic murders, presented with clinical detail and historical gravity.

Torture chambers, acid vats, greased chutes and gassing rooms were just some of the devices of death designed by the Torture Doctor, H.H. Holmes in his castle of horrors. Follows Holmes' entire life as a criminal mastermind.

Questions people ask

  • Is H.H. Holmes: America's First Serial Killer easy watching? No. Less comforting than 99% of films.

  • Does H.H. Holmes: America's First Serial Killer end with hope? No. Less hopeful than 99% of films.

  • Is H.H. Holmes: America's First Serial Killer violent? Yes, very. More violent than 95% of films.

  • Is H.H. Holmes: America's First Serial Killer scary? Yes. More frightening than 82% of films.

  • Is H.H. Holmes: America's First Serial Killer sad? About average. Almost exactly mid-range.

These describe how the film comes across, measured across the whole film and compared with other well-known films. They are not a content list — nothing here was counted or checked scene by scene, so for age-suitability or specific content use a classification board or a dedicated content-warning service.

57/ 100

Cinnamon Score

How much this film gives you that nothing else will, and whether it delivers.

Familiar shape, done well.

Rarity76

How unlike any other film this one feels

Surprise71

How much more it delivers than it promises

Love30

How much audiences actually like it

The highest scores in the catalogue →

Ensemble

Like H.H. Holmes: America's First Serial Killer

Nearest across the full emotional profile.

Same Mood as H.H. Holmes: America's First Serial Killer

Nearest on what's most distinctive about this one.

Like H.H. Holmes: America's First Serial Killer, But Darker

Similar, pushed toward heavier and more intense.

Like H.H. Holmes: America's First Serial Killer, But Lighter

Similar, pushed toward warmer and easier.

Like H.H. Holmes: America's First Serial Killer, But Less Popular

Same territory, far fewer people have seen it.

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