Silence of the Lambs

"Clarice..." Silence of the Lambs is a classic film full of classic lines and pop culture magnet. Although this movie is more of a thriller, it definitely can fit into a horror genre. Silence of Lambs is full of disturbing images and heart pounding scenes full of terror and shock. Since we were on topic of sequels, the Hannibal Lecter series is a very well known thriller series, however it is not completely established as a horror film. I hope to explain why I feel it can fit into this genre.

Whether you have seen Silence of the Lambs or not, everyone knows who Hannibal Lecter is. You know very well you when you were in fourth grade no one liked being called Hannibal the Cannibal on the playground. Culturally referenced in TV shows and movies Hannibal is a character who will stand the test of time. The movie is currently number 74 on AFI's 100 Years 100 Movies and the famous quote Lecter murmurs, "A census taker once tried to test me. I ate his liver with some fava beans and a nice Chianti." is 21st on AFI's Top Movie quotes. Obviously with these two useless stats this film is appreciated greatly by the film community.

Now when you mention movie monsters, generally you think of Frankenstein, Dracula, or Leonardo DiCaprio, but humans sometimes are bigger monsters than the... well monsters. Hannibal first of all is a cannibal and can kill a man senselessly with his teeth alone. Secondly he feels no remorse for the killings he has done; as well as, deliver no sorrow for murder victims in general. Finally, Hannibal can strike at any time and can get within your mind. Sometimes mental torment is scarier than physical. The true terror is you can't even imagine what is running through his mind let alone the fact he can easily outwit and out think you.

Hannibal isn't the only monster in this film, but there is another murder who goes by the nickname of Buffalo Bill who harvests the flesh of his victims. Rather than ruin the plot of the movie, traveling with Jodie Foster to discover dead bodies alone in the comfort of your chair is a chilling experience that will make your skin crawl. I find this movie much closer to terrifying than most horror movies because of the development of the murders as well as how real the movie feels without having a supernatural guy with a machete chase you around. I would be much more terrified of a man weilding a batton with a mouth full of human blood than Freddy or Jason. The real world is much more relatable to yourself thus more horrifying. I hope if you have never seen Silence of the Lambs or any of the Hannibal movies, you grant yourself to a treat for some sophisticated horror.