Manhunter

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Manhunter

R

Released Aug 22, 1986

1h 59m

Mystery & Thriller

Crime

Drama

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

94%

Tomatometer

49 Reviews

77%

Popcornmeter

50,000+ Ratings

FBI criminal profiler Will Graham (William L. Petersen) is called out of early retirement to assist on a serial murder case involving a killer known as the "Tooth Fairy" (Tom Noonan). Graham enlists the help of imprisoned serial killer -- and cannibal -- Dr. Hannibal Lecktor (Brian Cox), who is the reason Graham took an early retirement. Soon, Graham and the FBI are entangled in a deadly cat-and-mouse game between the Tooth Fairy, Lecktor and an interfering journalist (Stephen Lang).

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Critics Consensus

Michael Mann introduces audiences to Hannibal Lecter for the first time in Manhunter, a modish thriller that fleshes out Thomas Harris' heinous creations with an elegant, chilling detachment.

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Wendy Ide

The Times (UK)

This slick thriller has been overshadowed by The Silence of the Lambs, but it is a compelling piece of film-making.

Sep 8, 2023

Full Review

Paul Attanasio

Washington Post

... "Manhunter" is a gory and gorgeous cop thriller...

Jan 4, 2018

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David Edelstein

Slate

Manhunter ushered in the age of empathy for the devil.

Feb 7, 2007

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Farah Cheded

A Good Movie To Watch

Michael Mann’s gripping, boldly stylized take on Hannibal Lecter is a crime thriller like no other.

Rated: 8.4/10

Sep 8, 2023

Full Review

Alan French

Sunshine State Cineplex

The stunning vision of a man rotting from the inside is one of Mann’s finest works, and remains one of his definitive character studies.

Rated: 10/10

Aug 18, 2023

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Eddie Harrison

film-authority.com

…Mann manages to develop the notion of seeing in a persuasive way, helped by an unearthly performance from Tom Noonan…

Rated: 4/5

Jan 18, 2023

Full Review

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Alli S

Silence Of The Lambs couldn't. hold a candle to this movie on its best day. Talk about a thriller! William Peterson plays an FBI agent on the trail of a serial killer. In the movie, he asks for the assistance of Hannibal Lector vwho us already in jail for his crimes, BRILLIANTLY played by Brian Cox, and he's. very scary. The movie is terrifying and suspenseful without being overly gory. Great cast, including the amazing Dennis Farina. A must-see for crime thriller fans. Oh, and did I mention the great musical score?

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

07/07/25

Full Review

Tamás V

A mostly styleless and flavorless adaptation that makes baffling omissions and feels like it was made out of obligation rather than actual love and understanding of the material. This Lecktor is no Lecter unfortunately.

Rated 1.5 out of 5 stars

06/29/25

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James B

While it can be boring it's very underrated and over shadowed by the other Hannibal lecter films while is a shame because it's great.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

06/20/25

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Muvi B

stunning vision of a man rotting from the inside is one of Mann’s finest works, and remains one of his definitive character studies.

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

06/20/25

Full Review

Nathaniel A

One of my favorite films. Without spoiling, the ending sequence is worth the entirety of the movie.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

05/22/25

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Karen B

This is a great suspenseful movie if you enjoy those kind of movies I highly recommend this one the acting is really good

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

05/12/25

Full Review

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Michael Mann

Director

William Petersen

FBI Agent Will Graham (as William Petersen)

Kim Greist

Molly Graham

Dennis Farina

FBI Section Chief Jack Crawford

Joan Allen

Reba McClane

Brian Cox

Dr. Hannibal Lecktor

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Synopsis

FBI criminal profiler Will Graham (William L. Petersen) is called out of early retirement to assist on a serial murder case involving a killer known as the "Tooth Fairy" (Tom Noonan). Graham enlists the help of imprisoned serial killer -- and cannibal -- Dr. Hannibal Lecktor (Brian Cox), who is the reason Graham took an early retirement. Soon, Graham and the FBI are entangled in a deadly cat-and-mouse game between the Tooth Fairy, Lecktor and an interfering journalist (Stephen Lang).

Director: Michael Mann
Producer: Dino De Laurentiis
Screenwriter: Michael Mann
Distributor: Sony Pictures Entertainment
Production Co: Columbia, Sony Pictures Classics
Rating: R
Genre: Mystery & Thriller, Crime, Drama
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Aug 22, 1986, Original
Release Date (Streaming): Apr 19, 2016
Box Office (Gross USA): $7.0M
Runtime: 1h 59m
Sound Mix: Surround

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