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Manhunter

Play trailer Poster for Manhunter R Released Aug 22, 1986 1h 59m Mystery & Thriller Crime Drama Play Trailer Watchlist
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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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Manhunter

Manhunter

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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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Critics Reviews

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Wendy Ide 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 Full Review David Edelstein Slate Manhunter ushered in the age of empathy for the devil. Feb 7, 2007 Full Review 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 Full Review 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 Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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KerryWhite's S Rating: 7/10. 74/100 Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars 10/09/24 Full Review Munyaradzi M This film is in my opinion: one of the best suspenseful horror movies of the 1980s. The film is nearly flawless except for maybe one little nitpick I have: that being the ending fight scene, I think it is cool but I wish they made the fight sequence much longer and more impactful. But outside of the ok ending fight scene, this film is great! Defiently watch this movie if you get the chance, it surely will not disappoint! Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars 10/07/24 Full Review Matt F When I was a freshman in college, I rented this on videocassette in 1990 which was a year before Silence of the Lambs released and I really loved it. The soundtrack is awesome especially Red 7's 'Heartbeat' and the finale showdown with Iron Butterfly's "In-A-Gadda-Da-Vida" playing in the background was just electric. I remember buying their Iron Butterfly's greatest hits on cassette after seeing this movie. William Petersen and Dennis Farina were awesome as was Brian Cox as Lector. Not as great as Anthony Hopkins' take on Lecter. But it will always be one of my favorites. Rated 5 out of 5 stars 09/28/24 Full Review Julian S Gripping and gory, “Manhunter” is a meticulously crafted character study, enriched by Brian Cox’s chillingly magnetic portrayal of Hannibal Lecter. Rated 5 out of 5 stars 09/27/24 Full Review Jonathan O Truly outstanding psychological thriller is really disturbing, suspenseful and really fantastic cast including for the first time we get to meet young Hannibal Lecter helping Will to find the tooth fairy aka Red Dragon and Tom Noonan performance is really creepy and disturbing and emotional villain and he did really great work and Michael Mann did excellent directing and writing and it really felt like watching a true crime documentary on YouTube and streaming platforms. Rated 5 out of 5 stars 09/25/24 Full Review J G One of the best crime/serial killer movies of all time. All the characters have purpose and there is never a lull in the cadence of the story. The look and feel, combined with the shots, editing and the direction of Michael Mann make it one of my personal favorites of any movie genre. I've read that some critics felt the music somehow took away from the movie, which is something I don't understand, because it compliments the look and feel of the movie so well. William Petersen, playing Will Graham is awesome to watch as his character sinks his teeth deeper and deeper into the investigation, while still having a mercurial edge to him. This is the original introduction of the Hannibal Lecter character and some might feel that Manhunter is overshadowed by Silence of the Lambs (which is a great movie in its own right), but Brian Cox's interpretation of Lecter is great to watch as well. Tom Noonan as the killer also strikes such a great balance between a reserved, shy and obviously troubled person while harboring the monster he has inside of him. Finally, the details of how the FBI run their investigation really is the cherry on top. It almost feels like you're sometimes watching a documentary due to how well details and nuances of how an investigation are presented. This movie is approaching 40 years old and some of the obvious tech is dated, but you hardly even notice. If you haven't seen the movie, I will add that you should stay away from the trailer... which is very 80's and doesn't fit with the caliber of film. :-) Rated 5 out of 5 stars 09/04/24 Full Review Read all reviews
Manhunter

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Cast & Crew

52 Pick-Up 53% 47% 52 Pick-Up Watchlist Frantic 77% 64% Frantic Watchlist Mississippi Burning 79% 90% Mississippi Burning Watchlist The Silence of the Lambs 95% 95% The Silence of the Lambs Watchlist Black Widow 54% 41% Black Widow Watchlist Discover more movies and TV shows. View More

Movie Info

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
Sony Pictures Classics, Columbia
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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