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Celluloid
CrimeThrillerDrama Editor's Pick

The Silence of the Lambs Review (1991) — 85% Celluloid Score

Directed by Jonathan Demme · 1991 ·

Short answer

Is The Silence of the Lambs worth watching?

Yes. The Silence of the Lambs (1991) earns an 85% Celluloid Score. That puts it in our Recommended tier. Critics and audiences are closely aligned on this one. See the 4 inputs.

85%
Celluloid Score Recommended

4-input transparent breakdown

88% Editorial Rating
90% Audience snapshot · excluded
82 Metascore
★★★★☆ Letterboxd 4.1
8.6 IMDb /10
0
Watch Trailer
Released
Runtime
1h 59m
Age rating
R (US) · 15 (UK) · A (India) · 17+ (Indonesia) · MA 15+ (Australia)
Cast
Jodie Foster , Anthony Hopkins , Scott Glenn , Ted Levine , Anthony Heald , Brooke Smith , Diane Baker , Kasi Lemmons , Frankie Faison , Tracey Walter
Streaming
Prime Video, Peacock, MGM+
Language
English

Also known as El Silencio de los Inocentes El silencio de los corderos Le Silence des agneaux Das Schweigen der Lämmer O Silêncio dos Inocentes 羊たちの沈黙 양들의 침묵 沉默的羔羊

Where to watch

  • Prime Video
  • Peacock
  • MGM+

Rent: Amazon Video, Apple TV, Google Play, YouTube, Fandango at Home

Buy: Amazon Video, Apple TV, Google Play, YouTube, Fandango at Home

Where to watch The Silence of the Lambs by country

Country Streaming on
India Prime Video
Indonesia Netflix
Japan Netflix, Prime Video, U-NEXT
Malaysia Netflix
Nigeria Prime Video
Pakistan Netflix
Philippines Netflix
South Africa Prime Video
South Korea Netflix
Thailand Netflix
Turkey Netflix, Prime Video, TV+, HBO Max
United Arab Emirates Netflix, Prime Video
United Kingdom Prime Video
United States Prime Video, Peacock, MGM+

Subscription availability, refreshed from TMDB. Rental and purchase options may differ.

Why this score?

  • Celluloid's editorial rating is positive (88/100).
  • Audiences widely enjoyed it (90%).
  • Metascore signals universal acclaim (82/100).
  • Letterboxd diarists rate it highly (4.1/5).
  • IMDb users score it 8.6/10.

Best for

  • Viewers who want a well-regarded crime, thriller, drama pick

Not ideal for

    Scores reflect data indexed at build time. Component sources are shown on this page; Celluloid Score is our composite, not a third-party trademark. Scoring policy

    Streaming availability, artwork and title metadata courtesy of TMDB. This product uses the TMDB API but is not endorsed or certified by TMDB.

    Is The Silence of the Lambs worth watching?

    Yes — The Silence of the Lambs earns an 85% Celluloid Score. That puts it in our Recommended tier. It suits viewers who want a well-regarded crime, thriller, drama pick. Read our full review (4.5/5).

    Celluloid verdict

    IMDb Top 250 #22 (8.6/10) — The Silence of the Lambs remains one of the most highly rated films of all time.

    , Founder & Editor

    Critics and audiences are closely aligned on this one.

    What is The Silence of the Lambs about?

    Clarice Starling is a top student at the FBI's training academy. Jack Crawford wants Clarice to interview Dr. Hannibal Lecter, a brilliant psychiatrist who is also a violent psychopath, serving life behind bars for various acts of murder and cannibalism. Crawford believes that Lecter may have insight into a case and that Starling, as an attractive young woman, may be just the bait to draw him out.

    Watch the Trailer

    Critic Reviews

    Short review 4 min read English The Silence of the Lambs

    The Silence of the Lambs (1991) Review: Horror in Close-Up

    The Silence of the Lambs is Jonathan Demme's landmark FBI thriller, with Jodie Foster's trainee and Anthony Hopkins's Lecter locked in a duel that still unnerves.

    Yes. It is one of the great psychological thrillers, tense, intelligent and superbly acted; essential for adults who can handle dark, disturbing material.

    Kaiser Khan Founder & Editor

    The Silence of the Lambs stills

    Official production imagery supplied through TMDB, kept with the movie instead of split into a thin gallery page.

    The Silence of the Lambs production still 1
    The Silence of the Lambs production still 2
    The Silence of the Lambs production still 3
    The Silence of the Lambs production still 4
    The Silence of the Lambs production still 5
    The Silence of the Lambs production still 6

    Images courtesy of TMDB. TMDB does not endorse or certify Celluloid.

    Reader takes

    No reader takes published yet. Send yours and we may publish it after editing.

    The Silence of the Lambs: frequently asked questions

    Is The Silence of the Lambs worth watching?

    Yes. The Silence of the Lambs (1991) has a Celluloid Score of 85%, averaged from the available Celluloid editorial, Metascore, Letterboxd and IMDb ratings. That puts it in our Recommended tier. Audience sentiment is shown separately and does not change the score.

    Where can I watch The Silence of the Lambs?

    In the United States, The Silence of the Lambs streams on Prime Video, Peacock, MGM+ with a subscription, and you can rent it from Amazon Video, Apple TV, Google Play, YouTube or buy it from Amazon Video, Apple TV, Google Play, YouTube. Elsewhere: Prime Video in India; Netflix in Indonesia; Netflix, Prime Video, U-NEXT in Japan; Netflix in Malaysia. Availability changes; the where-to-watch table on this page is refreshed from TMDB.

    How long is The Silence of the Lambs?

    The Silence of the Lambs runs 1 hour 59 minutes (119 minutes).

    What is The Silence of the Lambs rated?

    The Silence of the Lambs is rated R in the United States, 15 in the UK, A in India, 17+ in Indonesia and MA 15+ in Australia. These are the official classifications as recorded on TMDB; check your local classification board for content advice.

    Who stars in The Silence of the Lambs?

    The Silence of the Lambs is directed by Jonathan Demme and stars Jodie Foster, Anthony Hopkins, Scott Glenn, Ted Levine, Anthony Heald.

    What is the Metascore for The Silence of the Lambs?

    Metacritic's Metascore for The Silence of the Lambs is 82 out of 100. It is one of the inputs to the Celluloid Score.

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