The Silence of the Lambs

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The Silence of the Lambs

R

Released Feb 13, 1991

1h 59m

Mystery & Thriller

Crime

Drama

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

95%

Tomatometer

157 Reviews

95%

Popcornmeter

250,000+ Ratings

Jodie Foster stars as Clarice Starling, a top student at the FBI's training academy. Jack Crawford (Scott Glenn) wants Clarice to interview Dr. Hannibal Lecter (Anthony Hopkins), a brilliant psychiatrist who is also a violent psychopath, serving life behind bars for various acts of murder and cannibalism. Crawford believes that Lecter may have insight into a case and that Starling, as an attractive young woman, may be just the bait to draw him out.

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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.

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Steve Murray

Atlanta Journal-Constitution

A brilliant, unnerving work, "Lambs" proves that pop filmmaking can make both the heart and mind race.

Sep 23, 2025

Full Review

Wendy Ide

The Times (UK)

The crux of this excellent thriller is the battle of intellect and wills between them [Clarice Starling and Dr Hannibal Lecter].

Aug 2, 2023

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Jay Scott

Globe and Mail

A failure that is a function of its success.

Dec 7, 2022

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Bryce Hanson

Horror Movie Talk

This film is probably the best example of the crossover between the Drama/Thriller genre and the Horror genre. The scenes with Buffalo Bill are viscerally horrific, but the psychological horror of Lecter’s interrogations of Clarice are just as disturbing.

Rated: 10/10

Sep 23, 2025

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Gavin Spoors

FILMHOUNDS Magazine

Even nicer is the spruced-up visual presentation of one of the best films of the 20th century.

Rated: 5/5

Aug 20, 2025

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Megan Fisher

Loud and Clear Reviews

Demme is not interested in blood and guts for the sake of shocking the viewer, but rather the character’s emotional and psychological reaction to the violence. [...] It is this emotional investment that makes Demme’s film so frightening.

Rated: 5/5

Apr 25, 2025

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Julian

First time watching it completely through and was pleasantly surprised at how great this movie was. And fantastic performance by Hopkins

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

03/04/25

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eric

Always a good movie....sound so much bettrr at the movies

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

02/02/25

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Color

A true classic, amazing to see in theaters

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

02/02/25

Full Review

Ale C

This whole series with Anthony is just great. Back then when they made good movies. It aint that 2020 horror but old doesnt mean bad. Watch it

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

09/04/25

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Lydia F

How do I give a negative score?

Rated 0.5 out of 5 stars

08/29/25

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K P

This film still holds up now. I really think Jodie Foster Is a stand out actor. No matter how many times I watch it I still hold my breath during the scene with Clarice in the dark.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

08/25/25

Full Review

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Jonathan Demme

Director

Jodie Foster

Clarice Starling

Anthony Hopkins

Dr. Hannibal Lecter

Scott Glenn

Jack Crawford

Ted Levine

Jame "Buffalo Bill" Gumb

Anthony Heald

Dr. Frederick Chilton

The Silence of the Lambs: Official Clip - It Rubs the Lotion

1:44

The Silence of the Lambs: Official Clip - Screaming Lambs

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The Silence of the Lambs: Official Clip - Buffalo Bill

2:50

The Silence of the Lambs: Official Clip - Quid Pro Quo

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The Silence of the Lambs: Official Clip - Love Your Suit

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The Silence of the Lambs: Official Clip - What Does He Do, This Man You Seek?

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The Silence of the Lambs: Official Clip - Pitch Black

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The Silence of the Lambs: Official Clip - Closer!

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The Silence of the Lambs: Official Clip - Fava Beans and a Nice Chianti

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The Silence of the Lambs: Official Clip - You Ate Yours

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Synopsis

Jodie Foster stars as Clarice Starling, a top student at the FBI's training academy. Jack Crawford (Scott Glenn) wants Clarice to interview Dr. Hannibal Lecter (Anthony Hopkins), a brilliant psychiatrist who is also a violent psychopath, serving life behind bars for various acts of murder and cannibalism. Crawford believes that Lecter may have insight into a case and that Starling, as an attractive young woman, may be just the bait to draw him out.

Director: Jonathan Demme
Producer: Ronald M. Bozman, Edward Saxon, Kenneth Utt
Screenwriter: Thomas Harris, Ted Tally
Distributor: Orion Pictures
Production Co: Orion Pictures
Rating: R
Genre: Mystery & Thriller, Crime, Drama
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Feb 13, 1991, Wide
Release Date (Streaming): Aug 27, 2015
Box Office (Gross USA): $130.7M
Runtime: 1h 59m
Sound Mix: Dolby Stereo, Dolby SR, Surround
Aspect Ratio: Flat (1.66:1)

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