# The Silence of the Lambs (1991) — Celluloid fact sheet

Source: https://celluloidscore.com/movies/the-silence-of-the-lambs-1991/
Last reviewed: 2026-07-23

| Field | Value |
|-------|-------|
| Celluloid Score | 86% |
| Critic Score | 88% |
| Audience Score | 90% |
| Metascore | 82/100 |
| Letterboxd | 4.1/5 |
| IMDb | 8.6/10 |
| Director | Jonathan Demme |
| Genres | Crime, Thriller, Drama |
| Runtime | 119 min |

## Quick answer

The Silence of the Lambs (1991) earns a 86% Celluloid Score — Recommended. IMDb Top 250 #22 (8.6/10) — The Silence of the Lambs remains one of the most highly rated films of all time. Metascore 82/100. Directed by Jonathan Demme.

## Critics consensus

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

## Synopsis

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.

## Cast

Jodie Foster, Anthony Hopkins, Scott Glenn, Ted Levine, Anthony Heald, Brooke Smith, Diane Baker, Kasi Lemmons, Frankie Faison, Tracey Walter

## Critic reviews on Celluloid: 1

## Common questions

**Is The Silence of the Lambs worth watching?**
The Silence of the Lambs holds a 86% Celluloid Score. IMDb Top 250 #22 (8.6/10) — The Silence of the Lambs remains one of the most highly rated films of all time.

**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.

**Who directed The Silence of the Lambs?**
The Silence of the Lambs (1991) was directed by Jonathan Demme.

**What is the Celluloid Score of The Silence of the Lambs?**
86% — the average of five public sources: critics 88%, audience 90%, Metascore 82/100, Letterboxd 4.1/5, and IMDb 8.6/10.

**Where can I watch The Silence of the Lambs?**
Streaming availability varies by region — see the The Silence of the Lambs page for current options.

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Reviewed and scored by Celluloid · Editor: Kaiser Khan (https://celluloidscore.com/author/kaiser-khan/)

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