SummaryIn pursuit of one serial killer, ambitious FBI student Clarice Starling (Foster) is forced to enlist the aid of another notorious killer, the incarcerated ex-psychiatrist known as "Hannibal the Cannibal" Lecter (Hopkins).
Directed By:Jonathan Demme
Written By:Thomas Harris, Ted Tally
The Silence of the Lambs
Metascore
Universal Acclaim
86
User score
Universal Acclaim
8.8
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Top Cast
Metascore
Universal Acclaim
90% Positive
18 Reviews
18 Reviews
10% Mixed
2 Reviews
2 Reviews
0% Negative
0 Reviews
0 Reviews
100
Under Jonathan Demme's masterful cinematic surgery, we get into Lecter's twisted skull and, through this outrageous descent, we come to see this sinister in the everyday.
100
Hopkins' insinuating performance puts him right up there with the screen's great bogymen. [13 February 1991, Calendar, p.F-1}
User score
Universal Acclaim
95% Positive
925 Ratings
925 Ratings
3% Mixed
31 Ratings
31 Ratings
1% Negative
13 Ratings
13 Ratings
Nov 3, 2025
10
In my Opinion a nearly Perfect Movie Very Intense but not in an annoying Way. The Way the Story is told with these very close Camera Angles lets you feel everything so much more. This and the Amzing Work of basically everyone in this Movie and an Amazing Story makes it one of the GOAT's for me.
Feb 8, 2025
10
The Silence of the Lambs is one of those movies that isn't just great-it's iconic. From the moment it starts, there's an unsettling tension that never lets up. The plot is masterfully structured, pulling you into a psychological game of cat and mouse that keeps you engaged the entire time. It's dark, intense, and layered with meaning, making it the kind of film that sticks with you long after the credits roll. This isn't a casual weekend watch but rather a cinematic experience that deserves full attention. Jonathan Demme's directing is sharp and precise, keeping the story tight without any wasted moments. Every scene feels deliberate, building suspense in a way that's subtle yet incredibly effective. The cinematography plays a huge role in this, with its use of close-ups making the film feel personal and claustrophobic. There's an intimacy to the way characters are shot, pulling you into their headspace and making the psychological tension hit even harder. The acting is what really elevates the movie to legendary status. Jodie Foster delivers an incredible performance, bringing both vulnerability and determination to her role. But it's Anthony Hopkins who steals the show, creating one of the most chilling yet mesmerizing characters in film history. His screen presence is magnetic, proving that sometimes, the scariest thing isn't loud or violent but calm, calculated, and intelligent. The script is airtight, filled with sharp dialogue that never feels forced. Every exchange has weight, and the conversations alone are enough to keep you on edge. The score and sound design play a crucial role in building atmosphere. The music is haunting yet subtle, never overdoing it but always enhancing the unease. Silence is used just as effectively as sound, making certain moments feel even more intense. It's one of those films where everything, from the writing to the visuals to the performances comes together flawlessly. The Silence of the Lambs isn't just a must-watch. It's a masterpiece.
100
The interplay between Starling and Lector as they share an indefinable, dark understanding gives the film its unforgettable and unsettling power. [14 February 1991, Daily Notebook, p.E1]
90
A smart, restrained entertainment, it doesn't splash around in blood and hysteria. It doesn't have to.
88
For me, the distinguishing factor is the sense of humanity director Jonathan Demme brings to this inhumane material.
70
Demme's pacing is tight throughout, marred only by some low-angle close-ups of the cannibal that are right out of old Vincent Price thrillers. [Feb 18, 1991]
50
Billed as one of the most frightening, depraved films ever made. Would that it were so. Instead, this is a case of much ado about nothing. [15 February 1991, Friday, p.C]
Dec 1, 2024
10
The Silence of the Lambs is an amazing dialogue-based movie with terrific acting performances. The characters are spectacular, Clarice Starling is a perfectly-written protagonist, the audience can always see what she feels. That is also a praise to the acting performance from Jodie Foster. Hannibal Lecter is menacing and charming, which is a weird combo, but works tremendously. The antagonist's story is very unexpected and refreshing. The plot is unpredictable and exciting even though the script relies on dialogues and they were very well-written, since the movie worked perfectly. The cinematography is outstanding, there are a few amazing shots where the camera basically shows a character's point of view, I loved those. The editing is great, the pacing is perfect. The film is never boring or rushed. The soundtrack is amazing, the casting is perfect. The acting is Oscar-worthy from both leads. The Silence of the Lambs is a masterpiece, one of the greatest psychological thrillers of all time.
Aug 17, 2024
6
The movie had some okay acting I couldn't buy Jodie Foster's West Virginia Accent as a resident of West Virginia lol. The guy who played Hannibal did a good job as well as the supporting cast. There are just a bunch of things that I thought would show up more in the movie that didn't such as the moths. The symbolism of them was great but the overall execution was sloppy in my opinion. Also some vulgar language I'm not really a fan of I get they are serial killers and criminals but it just feels bad for my soul listening the way some characters say sexual stuff in this movie. Overall compelling but there are some plot holes that I think most people overlook.
Dec 2, 2020
6
Most people see this movie as a classic. Me however, whilst I do see why it was good for its time and a classic for most, it wasn't memorable for me as much. I enjoyed the scenes with Hannibal Lecter more than the other scenes in the movie due to the amazing performance by Anthony Hopkins. Hopkins really makes the movie standout for me, and in my opinion, it's worth seeing the movie for Lecter despite not being the main villain.
Mar 16, 2025
3
Particular and interesting plot, but it is sometimes boring during its development. The story takes a back seat to the character of Hannibal Lecter, ending up becoming almost a secondary thing compared to being the basis of the story, and the antagonist of the story ends up being poorly characterized almost like an extra
Jun 23, 2022
0
Very artificial and full of enlargement
Toxic movies that I hate forever I really believe that films like this harm not only the cinema but also our world The only strong point that seems to be in this movie is the few silences that Jonathan Demme has managed to capture, but it took too long and it didn't turn out well. Everything in the movie is based on a funny but very serious **** film does not have script .And it is the only film for which the Academy has become emotional for specific reasons. The set design in the movie is awful. There is neither simplicity nor complexity in it. The story of the movie is full of bugs. The knots of the story are neither real nor fantasy, neither believable nor surreal. A film that is basically a deception. In my opinion, it could have been a more successful movie by switching the roles of Hopkins and Jodie Foster. The pleasure that the story of the movie wants to convey is very confusing and deceptive. Everything suffers from an artificial nostalgia. In the end, it seems that it was one of the few works that I have seen that tries its best to turn a cinematic work into an inhuman tool. Not only is it unsuccessful and it never deceives the professional cinema audience, but it is so ridiculous and funny that it is unbelievable at a certain time. A movie that not only the character but also the style is not seen in **** tasteless and for example tasty inserts don't do anything and the film remains on its basic interesting idea.
Production Company:
- Strong Heart/Demme Production
- Orion Pictures
Release Date:Feb 13, 1991
Duration:1 h 58 m
Rating:R
Tagline:Dr. Hannibal Lecter. Brilliant. Cunning. Psychotic. In his mind lies the clue to a ruthless killer. - Clarice Starling, FBI. Brilliant. Vulnerable. Alone. She must trust him to stop the killer.
Awards
Academy Awards, USA
• 5 Wins & 7 Nominations
Golden Globes, USA
• 1 Win & 5 Nominations
Awards Circuit Community Awards
• 8 Wins & 14 Nominations
