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The Silence of the Lambs

Play trailer Poster for The Silence of the Lambs R In Theaters Apr 26 1h 59m Mystery & Thriller Crime Drama Play Trailer Watchlist
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95% Tomatometer 158 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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The Silence of the Lambs

What to Know

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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Cast & Crew

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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

Critics Reviews

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Jim Murphy The Age (Australia) Jan 21
Gruesome but riveting. Go to Full Review Steve Murray Atlanta Journal-Constitution Sep 23
A brilliant, unnerving work, "Lambs" proves that pop filmmaking can make both the heart and mind race. Go to Full Review Wendy Ide The Times (UK) 08/02/2023
The crux of this excellent thriller is the battle of intellect and wills between them [Clarice Starling and Dr Hannibal Lecter]. Go to Full Review Matt Brunson Film Frenzy Nov 26
4/4
One of the all-time great thrillers. Demme directs this for maximum suspense, yet the film also works as a multilayered feminist tale, with Foster's resourceful agent emerging as a beautifully conceived character. Go to Full Review Bryce Hanson Horror Movie Talk Sep 23
10/10
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. Go to Full Review Gavin Spoors FILMHOUNDS Magazine Aug 20
5/5
Even nicer is the spruced-up visual presentation of one of the best films of the 20th century. Go to Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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Grace G Nov 28 Masterful! This is complete movie making in the highest order. See more Julian Mar 4 First time watching it completely through and was pleasantly surprised at how great this movie was. And fantastic performance by Hopkins See more eric Feb 2 Always a good movie....sound so much bettrr at the movies See more Color Feb 2 A true classic, amazing to see in theaters See more Stefano C @ilChurch Jan 20 Incredible movie, incredible acting and incredible story. It really keeps you sticked to the screen and gives you anxiety and distress. I also noticed a clear critique to the sexism women can encounter in profesional situations, especially in the 90s. See more Lasse L Jan 11 The film does a great job putting the viewer in the POV of Agent Starling. Combined with the disturbing subject matter and the unnerving performances, The Silence of the Lambs makes for a unique experience. It's an example of good direction and acting, elevating a screenplay - the film is a well-deserved classic. See more Read all reviews
The Silence of the Lambs

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The Silence of the Lambs

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Movie Info

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
Rerelease Date (Theaters)
Apr 26, 2026
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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