Common Sense Media Review
By Charles Cassady Jr.
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Thriller that made the serial killer a superstar.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 17+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Watch
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The Silence of the Lambs
Parent and Kid Reviews
Based on 33 parent reviews
Parents say this film is a classic psychological thriller and while it contains disturbing elements and some gore, many believe it's suitable for older teens if they are mature enough. The incredible performances by Anthony Hopkins and Jodie Foster, along with a gripping plot, make it a must-watch for adults, but it may be too intense for younger viewers.
- classic thriller
- disturbing elements
- incredible performances
- suitable for teens
- must-watch for adults
Summarized with AI
Summarized with AI
Based on 138 kid reviews
Kids say the film is a dark and psychological thriller featuring intense themes and graphic content, with some viewers finding it disturbing while others deem it compelling and thought-provoking. Most reviews emphasize the importance of maturity for younger audiences, suggesting that the movie is best suited for teens aged 15 and older, as it contains strong language, violence, nudity, and unsettling psychological themes that may not be appropriate for children.
- dark themes
- strong performances
- intense content
- maturity needed
- psychological horror
Summarized with AI
What's the Story?
In THE SILENCE OF THE LAMBS, Clarice Starling (Jodie Foster), a young, idealistic FBI trainee sent in to consult on a case with Dr. Hannibal Lecter (Anthony Hopkins), a brilliant but diabolical therapist who's been caged for eight years. Clarice's quarry is a mystery slayer tagged with the nickname "Buffalo Bill," because the victims -- all plus-sized women -- turn up partially skinned. Lecter won't cooperate with the veteran FBI agents on using his Sherlock Holmes-like powers (and some insider info) on figuring out Buffalo Bill's whereabouts. But Clarice appeals to the deadly doctor, who feeds the young woman vital clues in trade for personal details about the wounds in her own past.
Is It Any Good?
Anthony Hopkins plays Lecter with magisterial authority and aplomb, resulting in a box-office smash that won the Best Picture Oscar and made Hannibal Lecter a much-imitated screen icon. Apart from the visceral suspense and grisly police antics, this film's strength is its girl power; a very sympathetic heroine interacts with the serpentine Lecter and then goes out to fight another human monster, in environments heavy with male-oriented threat and authority (indeed, you can say that the horrendous Lecter treats Clarice with more courtesy and respect than the so-called "normal" men around her). The Silence of the Lambs thus has a complicated sense of virtue and evil coming to bargain with each other.
While the unfortunate consequence glorified a villain in the public mind, the narrative does indeed possess a moral center. Too bad you have to go through the autopsy scenes to reach it.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about the heroine Clarise Starling, whose plight is actually the core of the film's drama and humanity (Hannibal Lecter just steals every scene and subplot he's in). She's an ambitious but vulnerable orphan, a young woman trying to persevere in an often- grisly career fighting the worst kind of crime, in an environment dominated by men -- even the "normal" ones are pretty creepy. Why do you think Clarice fascinates Lecter so much?
Does the movie glamorize violence and glorify a villain?
Movie Details
- In theaters : February 13, 1991
- On DVD or streaming : August 24, 2004
- Cast : Anthony Hopkins , Jodie Foster , Scott Glenn
- Director : Jonathan Demme
- Inclusion Information : Female Movie Actor(s)
- Studio : MGM/UA
- Genre : Horror
- Run time : 118 minutes
- MPAA rating :
- MPAA explanation : restricted
- Last updated : February 16, 2026
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