Henry Johnson (2025 | USA | 85 minutes | David Mamet)
David Mamet’s new film, Henry Johnson, is based on his play of the same name, which was first presented onstage in 2023 at the Electric Lodge in Venice, CA, and directed by Marja-Lewis Ryan. The stage version of Henry Johnson featured the same cast as the film, and reportedly, the cast proposed creating the feature film as a record of their experience and as something that could endure as part of Mamet’s filmography.
Evan Jonigkeit plays the titular character, a man who does his best to navigate morality after an act of compassion (as he would call it) upends his life and sends him to prison. Three authority figures: his boss, Chris (Chris Bauer), his cellmate, Gene (Shia LaBeouf), and the prison guard, Jerry (Dominic Hoffman), mentor Henry through three milestones in his life. What Henry believes is a journey of self-discovery is instead a series of manipulations, courtesy of his so-called mentors and friends. Henry continually allows others to persuade him into actions, giving them power over his life.
It’s immediately clear within the first few lines that the film is based on a theatrical production. Henry Johnson unfolds in four scenes across only three locations. These long, drawn-out scenes are reminiscent of Golden Age films like Dial M for Murder and Casablanca. Even the dialogue in Henry Johnson would fit seamlessly into those films.
While this theatrical bent is unique nowadays, giving the film a distinct feel, it’s also occasionally its greatest downfall. Mamet seems to cling too tightly to the stage adaptation, granting little time for the camera to linger on subtle facial expressions or pertinent props. The result is that Mamet keeps the audience at arm’s length for much of the film. It’s undoubtedly impressive that Mamet could adhere so closely to the source material, but film, as a medium, allows for a different experience (and perhaps different expectations) than theater, and Henry Johnson doesn’t fully embrace these differences.
Still, the film delivers a thoughtful punch. The dedication to each scene, all integral in directing Henry’s life, gives the audience ample time to follow Henry’s thought process and understand his reasoning in real time. Mamet’s commitment to staying tightly within these four scenes allows for nuances and deeper conversations that we wouldn’t normally see in a contemporary film. Henry Johnson is a film about being manipulated, and Mamet’s filming style enables the audience to experience this right alongside Henry.
Henry Johnson revolves around an interesting aspect of the human condition, and Mamet certainly takes the audience on a thoughtful journey to make his point. However, ultimately, the film is too focused on its theatrical roots—a shame because these roots seem to hold it back where it could have truly excelled.
Henry Johnson is available to Rent on HenryJohnsonMovie.com starting Friday, May 9th
Image courtesy of Same Man LLC