The Silence of the Lambs (1991)

The Silence of the Lambs (1991) is an American psychological horror thriller film directed by Jonathan Demme and written by Ted Tally, adapted from Thomas Harris’s 1988 novel of the same name. Clarice Starling, an FBI trainee, is tasked with interviewing Hannibal Lecter, a highly-intelligent former psychiatrist and cannibalistic serial killer, at the Baltimore State Hospital for the Criminally Insane. Her boss Jack Crawford has sent her to gain insights into another psychopathic serial killer named ‘Buffalo Bill’, who targets overweight women. Despite Lecter’s initial politeness, he soon sees through Crawford’s true intentions and becomes dismissive. On her way out, Starling is assaulted by another prisoner named Miggs, which infuriates Lecter and prompts him to offer a clue that leads to a jar containing a severed head belonging to one of Buffalo Bill’s victims. With conditions that include being transferred away from Dr. Frederick Chilton whom he despises, Lecter agrees to provide a profile on the killer.

As Miggs takes his own life, influenced by Lecter’s manipulations likely in retaliation for his disgusting behavior towards Starling, another victim is discovered, a moth lodged in her throat. Meanwhile, Buffalo Bill has abducted Catherine Martin, the daughter of a senator from Tennessee. In order to rescue Catherine and capture Buffalo Bill, Crawford grants Starling permission to offer Lecter a fake deal: a transfer to a different prison. However, Lecter has his own demands and offers clues in exchange for personal information about Starling. Despite the risks, she agrees. Chilton exposes Starling’s deception and makes a new deal with Lecter, who then provides accurate information on Buffalo Bill’s appearance but falsely names him as ‘Louis Friend’. Upon realizing this name is actually an anagram for ‘iron sulfide’, also known as ‘fool’s gold’, Starling pays a visit to Lecter at his new location of imprisonment in Memphis.