The Silence of the Lambs
1991, Mystery & thriller/Crime, 1h 59m
149 Reviews 250,000+ RatingsWhat to know
critics consensus
Director Jonathan Demme's smart, taut thriller teeters on the edge between psychological study and all-out horror, and benefits greatly from stellar performances by Anthony Hopkins and Jodie Foster. Read critic reviews
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Movie Info
Cast & Crew
Clarice Starling
Dr. Hannibal Lecter
Jack Crawford
Jame "Buffalo Bill" Gumb
Dr. Frederick Chilton
Catherine Martin
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Critic Reviews for The Silence of the Lambs
Audience Reviews for The Silence of the Lambs
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Mar 13, 2021A masterpiece in crime-drama. The Hannibal Lecter character was ranked the number one movie villain of all-time by the American Film Institute and Clarice Starling the sixth best hero. Director Jonathan Demme 's handling of the material is flawless.Aldo G Super Reviewer
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Oct 24, 2016A rare treat of a film. A horror/thriller with the dramatic and psychological gravitas to stand among the greatest films ever made. The film takes big risks and manages to succeed on almost every front. A brilliant psychological film with simply superb performances. Hopkins nails the role of his lifetime. I have little doubt the film may have failed without his brilliant grasp and delivery on the character. Jodie Foster also does an impeccable job. She is an agent who gets little respect. Her angst, un-ease and the domineering way the men she interacts with treat her, adds a sense of dread and powerlessness that helps define the film. While Hopkins is a dominate force, it takes a very strong actor to be remembered in these scenes. Jodie Foster's timid, yet controlled and paradoxically brave, handling of her character was flawless at elevating the entire film. Buffalo Bill is also a solid creeper villain. One of the weaker parts of the film is the sort of absurd mechanics of the Dr's final scenes and Starling and Bill's final showdown. It is all a bit unbelievable, but thankfully you are too engrossed to really think about it. I think part of what makes the dread of the film so real is the relationship foil between Bill and Brooke Smith, as Catherine Martin, and Dr Lecter and Agent Starling. Buffalo Bill is crazy, barely controlled and despicable. He is free and preying on women. He has poor Ms Martin in a well tormenting her. Yet, we unmistakably feel that this caged man talking to Agent Starling is far more menacing, far more dangerous and terrifying. Agent Starling seems more at his mercy than Ms Martin is to Bill. This is truly the mark of profound evil. This masterful dynamic gives this film a lasting psychological power. Hopkins menace is not steeped in gore or terror but rare, profound authority. We fear the power of villains because they wield weapons, supernatural might or brutality. The good Dr commands our fear through sheer psychological influence. We are never sure what turn he might take, what we are sure of is that it is calculated, cold and there is nothing you can do about it.Shane S Super Reviewer
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Sep 23, 2015Thrilling, thought provoking, well acted, well directed. Overall a great filmKameron W Super Reviewer
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Nov 24, 2014A stunning and scintillating thriller with remarkable characters portrayed larger than life by Foster and Hopkins.
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