In Henry: Portrait of a Serial Killer, the selfishness seems even more chilling. Henry's murder spree starts with the death of two prostitutes, and it is the lack of significance that Henry gives to those murders that is startling. It would probably be freeing to lose that connection to people, to be in a position where human life means nothing. However, it would also be alien and frightening. That is why movies like Silence of the Lambs have such a tremendous appeal; Hannibal Lecter may have killed many people, but he is clearly capable of forming some level of emotional attachment. He seems so charming and engaging that he turns into the hero of the movie, though his actions do not support that role. Finally, serial-killer thrillers tap into the basic fear of strangers. Serial-killers are distinguished by the fact that they do not target those close to them. In Copycat, the killer actually goes after the detective in charge of the case, providing the adrenaline rush of an
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