The Book of Henry Synopsis & Review: Plot Summary

🎯 Quick Overview

😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained

A child prodigy writes a posthumous how-to guide for his mom to commit murder, proving even geniuses can’t predict how absolutely bonkers their plans sound in real life.

🍿 The Book of Henry: Detailed Plot Synopsis

Introduction to the Carpenter Family

Susan Carpenter, a single mother working as a waitress, raises her two sons, Henry and Peter, in a small suburban town. Henry, an 11-year-old genius, manages the family’s finances and provides emotional support. The family dynamic is unconventional, with Henry taking on responsibilities beyond his years.

Henry’s Discovery and Plan

Henry suspects that Christina, the girl next door, is being abused by her stepfather, Glenn Sickleman. Frustrated by the lack of action from authorities due to Glenn’s influence, Henry devises a plan to rescue Christina, documenting his strategy in a notebook. This notebook becomes central to the latter part of the film.

Tragedy Strikes: Henry’s Illness

Henry is diagnosed with a brain tumor and undergoes surgery. Before his death, he instructs his younger brother, Peter, to give his notebook to Susan. This plot twist marks a significant shift in the film’s tone and direction.

Susan’s Dilemma: Following Henry’s Plan

After Henry’s death, Susan discovers his detailed plan to kill Glenn Sickleman. Torn between grief and a desire to protect Christina, Susan contemplates following Henry’s instructions, which include acquiring a sniper rifle and executing the plan during a school talent show. This section explores themes of justice, morality, and the influence of a child’s perspective on adult actions.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained

🎬 Cast & Characters

• Susan Carpenter (Naomi Watts): A single mother and waitress who relies on her genius son and is tasked with carrying out his plan after his death.
• Henry Carpenter (Jaeden Martell): An 11-year-old genius who manages his family’s finances and devises a plan to save his neighbor from abuse.
• Peter Carpenter (Jacob Tremblay): Henry’s younger brother who looks up to him and provides support to his mother.
• Christina (Maddie Ziegler): The young neighbor who is suspected of being abused by her stepfather, leading Henry to intervene.
• Glenn Sickleman (Dean Norris): Christina’s abusive stepfather and the local police commissioner, presenting a significant obstacle to intervention.
• Sheila (Sarah Silverman): Susan’s best friend and fellow waitress, offering her support and comic relief.

💬 Memorable Quotes

• Henry Carpenter: “Violence isn’t the worst thing in the world. Apathy is.” – Henry explains his reasoning for taking action against injustice, highlighting his strong moral compass.
• Susan Carpenter: “I didn’t want things to get violent.” – Susan expresses her initial reluctance to resort to extreme measures.
• Henry Carpenter: “One little miscalculation and the whole thing falls apart.” – Henry frequently says this which underscores the meticulousness of his planning and the fragility of his schemes.

💰Box Office

• Budget: $10,000,000
• Domestic Gross: $4,504,974
• Worldwide Gross: $4,596,705

💥 The Book of Henry Reviews

Personal Review

I went in expecting a heartwarming story, but ‘The Book of Henry’ really surprised me. The performances, especially from the child actors, were captivating, but the tonal shifts felt jarring at times. I was emotionally invested, but left feeling slightly confused by the film’s overall message.

• Who would enjoy:
  • “Viewers interested in dramas with unconventional plot twists”
  • “Fans of Naomi Watts and Jacob Tremblay”
  • “Those who appreciate films that explore moral dilemmas”
• Content warnings ⚠:
  • “Child abuse”
  • “Death of a child”
  • “Violence”
  • “Suicide”

Professional Reviews

• Kids First!: “An emotionally affecting film with a few fine messages about parenthood and altruism with charming intrigue. However, the foundation of the character is never told and is a glaring hole. This film has charm and intrigue. It’ll go down as one of those films where critics and general audiences just don’t agree
• IMDb: “The film’s first half is fun and pretty dramatic with the medical fate of our lead character. I didn’t expect that level of sadness. I had to literally ask both of my guests if the lead character really just died half way through the film! The mother burn Henry’s book at the end, and feels emotionally flat at the end of this movie that I wished had ended at Henry’s death scene
• IMDb: “The film is about one of those 11 year old super geniuses who you really only find in film. It’s also point that apathy towards seeing something like this is also well received. If you liked this, check out Craig James Review on Youtube.

Audience Reactions

Viewers really like the film and see it as emotional and creative.: While critics trashed it, many viewers found it creative, refreshing, and emotionally impactful. They enjoyed the actors and story. Those viewers found the movie well crafted and moving.

Overall Consensus: Despite negative critical reception, some viewers found ‘The Book of Henry’ to be an emotionally engaging and thought-provoking movie with strong performances.

Awards

🛠️ Behind the Scenes

• “The script for ‘The Book of Henry’ was written over 20 years before the film was released.”
• “Director Colin Trevorrow stated that he wanted to make a film that broke all the conventional rules of screenwriting.”

🖥️ How to Watch The Book of Henry?

The Book of Henry is available for rent or purchase on various platforms, including Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play Movies, and Vudu. Check your local listings for broadcast options. Physical copies (DVDs and Blu-rays) can be purchased from major retailers like Amazon and Walmart, offering options for home viewing and collection.

🎥 Similar Movies

If you enjoyed The Book of Henry, you might like these similar films:

• Gifted (2017): Features a child prodigy and the complex family dynamics surrounding their extraordinary abilities.
• Extremely Loud & Incredibly Close (2011): Deals with a child processing grief and embarking on a quest that connects with a larger societal issue.
• Room (2015): Shares themes of protecting a child from a dangerous environment and the strength of a mother-son bond.

🛒 The Book of Henry Related Products

• The Book of Henry [Blu-ray]: Own the physical copy of this divisive film. The Blu-ray offers behind-the-scenes content and allows fans to revisit the movie and form their own opinions.
• Stock Market Investing For Beginners: A Comprehensive Guide to Make Money Through Stock: Learn the basics of stock market investing, just like Henry! Start small and begin investing and watch your small investment grow over time.
• Beginner Ukulele Starter Kit: Inspired by Susan’s ukulele playing, this starter kit includes a quality ukulele, learning materials, and everything needed to start making music.
• The Book Thief: Discover The Book Thief, an international bestseller with more than 16 million copies sold and translated into more than 40 languages. A movie based on the book was released in 2013.

🎧 Soundtrack

The Book of Henry features a captivating soundtrack that enhances the movie’s atmosphere and emotional impact. Here are some notable tracks:

• “Blues Wine” – performed by Brendan Leong

You can find the complete soundtrack on Amazon Music and Apple Music.

🤨 FAQ

🔥 Bonus Content

Did Maddie Ziegler Teach Her Co-Stars Dances Moves on Set?!

Ever wonder what it was like for the child stars on the set of ‘The Book of Henry’? This interview spills the beans on fun behind-the-scenes moments, like whether Maddie Ziegler taught her co-stars dance moves. Sounds like a fun set!

Kermode Uncut: Disaster Movie

Want to hear an honest opinion about ‘The Book of Henry’? Mark Kermode doesn’t hold back in his review, and even offers a defense of the director. It’s always interesting to hear what the critics have to say.

✨ Rate