The Silence of the Lambs

»The Silence of the Lambs« (1991), Jonathan Demme’s adaptation of Thomas Harris’ bestseller, stands as a milestone in modern Hollywood cinema. It firmly cemented the serial killer in popular culture, making the story of FBI agent Clarice Starling and the serial murderer Dr. Hannibal Lecter feel instantly familiar. Yet it is worth forgetting the cultural impact the film has had in order to rediscover it as a masterfully crafted thriller, distinguished by its subtle Gothic atmosphere. One is struck by how sparingly and effectively Demme employs moments of violence; the sensationalism common in later serial killer films is entirely absent. Instead, Demme focuses on the nuanced performances of Jodie Foster, Anthony Hopkins, Ted Levine, and Scott Glenn, who quietly demonstrates, in his role as Clarice’s mentor, how the work of a profiler gradually permeates every aspect of one’s life.