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Primal Fear

Play trailer 2:19 Poster for Primal Fear R 1996 2h 9m Crime Drama Mystery & Thriller Play Trailer Watchlist
Watchlist Tomatometer Popcornmeter
77% Tomatometer 47 Reviews 89% Popcornmeter 50,000+ Ratings
Defense attorney Martin Vail takes on jobs for money and prestige rather than any sense of the greater good. His latest case involves an altar boy, accused of brutally murdering the archbishop of Chicago. Vail finds himself up against his ex-pupil and ex-lover, but as the case progresses and the Church's dark secrets are revealed, Vail finds that what appeared a simple case takes on a darker, more dangerous aspect.
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Primal Fear

Primal Fear

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Critics Consensus

Primal Fear is a straightforward yet entertaining thriller elevated by a crackerjack performance from Edward Norton.

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Critics Reviews

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Mike Clark USA Today 01/01/2000
3/4
As a forum for its actors and for the big-screen directorial debut of multi-Emmy winner Gregory Hoblit, the film is up to the job. Go to Full Review
Roger Ebert Chicago Sun-Times 01/01/2000
3.5/4
The plot is as good as crime procedurals get, but the movie is really better than its plot because of the three-dimensional characters. Go to Full Review
Dennis Schwartz Dennis Schwartz Movie Reviews 09/22/2023
B-
The tense crime procedural thriller has a twist in its last act that fails to do it justice. Go to Full Review
Wesley Lovell Cinema Sight 02/12/2022
3.5/4
A presumably innocent man and a justice-seeking defense lawyer delve into a complex tangle of crime and murder in Primal Fear, a sometimes grating, sometimes invigorating courtroom drama mixed with investigative police procedural. Go to Full Review
Kat Halstead Common Sense Media 06/23/2021
4/5
A tense psychological thriller rich with shadowy menace and a sense of confidence that allows the impressive cast to shine. Go to Full Review
Mike Massie Gone With The Twins 09/24/2020
7/10
It's part trial procedural but mostly the suspenseful unraveling of testimony and the realization of lies. Go to Full Review
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Audience Reviews

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Zhakyp I. @Jake_I7 19h I am exited with Edward Norton’s play especially when he shows Roy. See more Harold S. @Stenglein Jan 22 Slightly predictable; great acting See more Maria U @merisvalore Dec 26 Amazing acting, solid movie, pathetic plot twist See more Tommy H Dec 4 I saw the ending on YouTube, which completely spoiled this movie. The whole film depends on the conclusion. See more Jack F @MovieFan111 Nov 30 Richard Gere is a cool actor, and the story was good. See more William R. @MileHighMilk Nov 23 Excellent movie. Kept me on the edge of my seat even though it’s a court room drama. It’s a movie that sticks with you. See more Read all reviews
Primal Fear

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Primal Fear

Primal Fear: Official Clip - Playing Rough Primal Fear: Official Clip - Playing Rough 2:13 Primal Fear: Official Clip - Good For You, Marty Primal Fear: Official Clip - Good For You, Marty 2:13 Primal Fear: Official Clip - Just One Juror Primal Fear: Official Clip - Just One Juror 1:47 Primal Fear: Official Clip - Powerful People Primal Fear: Official Clip - Powerful People 2:05 Primal Fear: Official Clip - Meeting "Roy" Primal Fear: Official Clip - Meeting "Roy" 2:11 Primal Fear: Official Clip - How Can You Do What You Do? Primal Fear: Official Clip - How Can You Do What You Do? 2:05 Primal Fear: Official Clip - The Tape Primal Fear: Official Clip - The Tape 2:11 Primal Fear: Official Clip - Prepping Aaron Primal Fear: Official Clip - Prepping Aaron 0:57 Primal Fear: Official Clip - A Woman With a Brain Primal Fear: Official Clip - A Woman With a Brain 1:45 View more videos
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Movie Info

Synopsis Defense attorney Martin Vail takes on jobs for money and prestige rather than any sense of the greater good. His latest case involves an altar boy, accused of brutally murdering the archbishop of Chicago. Vail finds himself up against his ex-pupil and ex-lover, but as the case progresses and the Church's dark secrets are revealed, Vail finds that what appeared a simple case takes on a darker, more dangerous aspect.
Director
Gregory Hoblit
Producer
Gary Lucchesi, Robert McMinn
Screenwriter
Steve Shagan, Ann Biderman
Distributor
Paramount Pictures
Production Co
Paramount Pictures
Rating
R
Genre
Crime, Drama, Mystery & Thriller
Original Language
English
Release Date (Theaters)
Apr 3, 1996, Wide
Release Date (Streaming)
Sep 2, 2011
Box Office (Gross USA)
$56.1M
Runtime
2h 9m
Sound Mix
Stereo, Surround
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