Primal Fear

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2:19

Primal Fear

R

Released Apr 3, 1996

2h 9m

Crime

Drama

Mystery & Thriller

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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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Critics Consensus

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

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Nell Minow

Movie Mom

Rated: 3/5

Jun 28, 2005

Full Review

Peter Stack

San Francisco Chronicle

Rated: 4/4

Jun 18, 2002

Full Review

Roger Ebert

Chicago Sun-Times

The plot is as good as crime procedurals get, but the movie is really better than its plot because of the three-dimensional characters.

Rated: 3.5/4

Jan 1, 2000

Full Review

Dennis Schwartz

Dennis Schwartz Movie Reviews

The tense crime procedural thriller has a twist in its last act that fails to do it justice.

Rated: B-

Sep 22, 2023

Full Review

Wesley Lovell

Cinema Sight

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.

Rated: 3.5/4

Feb 12, 2022

Full Review

Kat Halstead

Common Sense Media

A tense psychological thriller rich with shadowy menace and a sense of confidence that allows the impressive cast to shine.

Rated: 4/5

Jun 23, 2021

Full Review

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udit k

Primal Fear is a gripping courtroom thriller that completely exceeded my expectations. The performances are top-notch across the board, but the young man at the center of it all absolutely steals the show with a hauntingly powerful presence. Twists and tension keep you hooked till the very end. A must-watch for fans of smart, intense dramas— just watch it.

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

07/04/25

Full Review

Audience Member

Well done movie. It's a shame we don't get to see Richard Gere nowadays. Laura Linney is absolutely breathtaking in this film.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

06/20/25

Full Review

Lobo T

One of the best twist endings of all time

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

06/17/25

Full Review

James P

I'm not usually a big fan of the courtroom legal thrillers but Primal Fear is fantastic. Richard Gere is on fire as the smart-ass, hotshot, maverick defense lawyer. The gorgeous blond Laura Linney as his rival prosecution attorney. A masterful debut from a young Edward Norton. The shock twist at the end left me gobsmacked.

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

06/13/25

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Ahmed A

Plot twist within a plot twist: underrated.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

06/12/25

Full Review

Jeremi B

Primal Fear est un thriller captivant qui ne cesse de surprendre. Avec une intrigue finement construite et une tension constante, le film plonge le spectateur dans une réflexion profonde sur le système judiciaire et ses failles. La force du récit réside dans son retournement final, totalement inattendu, qui remet en question tout ce que l’on croyait jusqu’alors. Ce twist brillant donne une nouvelle dimension à l’histoire et laisse une impression durable bien après le générique. En plus de son scénario intelligent, Primal Fear amène à s’interroger sur la justice et ses mécanismes. Il soulève des questions sur la manipulation, la vérité et la manière dont les procès peuvent parfois être influencés par bien plus que des preuves factuelles. Un film à voir absolument pour ceux qui aiment les thrillers psychologiques et les histoires qui bousculent les certitudes. Une recommandation indiscutable !

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

06/06/25

Full Review

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Gregory Hoblit

Director

Richard Gere

Martin Vail

Laura Linney

Janet Venable

Edward Norton

Aaron Stampler

John Mahoney

John Shaughnessy

Alfre Woodard

Judge Miriam Shoat

Primal Fear: Official Clip - Playing Rough

2:13

Primal Fear: Official Clip - Good For You, Marty

2:13

Primal Fear: Official Clip - Just One Juror

1:47

Primal Fear: Official Clip - Powerful People

2:05

Primal Fear: Official Clip - Meeting "Roy"

2:11

Primal Fear: Official Clip - How Can You Do What You Do?

2:05

Primal Fear: Official Clip - The Tape

2:11

Primal Fear: Official Clip - Prepping Aaron

0:57

Primal Fear: Official Clip - A Woman With a Brain

1:45

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Primal Fear: Trailer 1

2:19

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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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