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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

154 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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Wendy Ide

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

Full Review

Jay Scott

Globe and Mail

A failure that is a function of its success.

Dec 7, 2022

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Kathy Huffhines

Detroit Free Press

Throughout the movie, Demme gets across more terror than a dozen Friday the 13ths by showing not the horrifying thing itself but the faces of people looking at horror.

Rated: 8/10

Mar 23, 2022

Full Review

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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Nadir Samara

Screen Rant

Its impact on movies is still being felt today, and it includes arguably the best performances of both Foster and Hopkins' careers.

Rated: 9/10

Nov 10, 2024

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Mark Johnson

Awards Daily

Suspenseful and shrewd, Hopkins’ Lecter is one of the most fascinating villains in film (despite less than 20 min of screen time). In spite of his contemptible reproach and steely demeanor, there’s just something about Lecter that makes us root for him.

Jun 8, 2023

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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

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Geo3 F

This movie it’s a great psychotic thriller, full of twists and turns and lots of suspense. Both, Anthony, Hopkins, and Jodie Foster do a great job of not only sustaining the film, but elevating it. In the year of 1991 films like this were not made often however as times have changed, I have seen better films on this subject matter. Having said that this is a great movie for any film fanatic or a casual to enjoy.

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

05/28/25

Full Review

Nicholas B

The Silence of the Lambs is an outstanding five-star thriller that completely pulled me in. Anthony Hopkins and Jodie Foster deliver unforgettable performances, making every scene intense and gripping. The psychological tension, unsettling atmosphere, and smart storytelling kept me hooked from start to finish. It's a masterful film that left a lasting impression on me.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

05/25/25

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Norman B

I'm sure it was great when it first came out, but now it feels archaic and slow paced

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

05/23/25

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

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The Silence of the Lambs: Official Clip - Screaming Lambs

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The Silence of the Lambs: Official Clip - Buffalo Bill

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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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