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In this episode of Drawn to Darkness, we dive into Jonathan Demme’s classic and deeply unsettling 1991 psychological horror-thriller, Silence of the Lambs.  We unpack the film’s use of dread over jump scares, the power of what is left unseen, the terrifying precision of Anthony Hopkins’ performance, Jodie Foster’s Clarice navigating the male gaze in a man’s world, and why Catherine Martin deserves more credit for being a total badass. We also discuss the book, the film’s real-life serial killer inspirations, the horror of charming and sophisticated monsters, the questionable logistics of pens and temporary cages, and why the final basement sequence remains absolutely harrowing.

Content & Spoiler Warning:

Violence, blood and gore, skinning and flaying, transphobia, kidnapping, serial murder, references to cannibalism, a dog in peril, bugs, a decapitated head, bloody fingernails, suicide, childhood trauma, and the male gaze. We also have a serious discussion upfront about the film’s harmful impact on the trans community, including how intent does not erase impact, how the movie tried and failed to distance Buffalo Bill from trans identity, and why representation matters when marginalised groups are repeatedly portrayed as jokes, deviants, or killers.

And of course we spoil The Silence of the Lambs.

Palate Cleanser:

Jessica Jones - if you feel like a Marvel binge.

Don’t Trust the B---- in Apartment 23 - James Van Der Beek playing a ridiculous version of himself, and a much lighter viewing experience after Buffalo Bill’s basement.

Recommendations:

For related podcasts, try the Unspooled episode on The Silence of the Lambs with Paul Holes and That Aged Well, and The Wine and Crime episode on cannibalism

For more serial killers, detectives & dark investigations:

Red Dragon, Criminal Minds, and Hannibal the TV show
Psycho and Texas Chainsaw Massacre - for other killers loosely inspired by Ed Gein

Seven
Zodiac
True Detective Season 1 and Night Country with Jodie Foster

Longlegs for a more recent comparison with a creepy lead performance

For Queer Joy & LGBTQ+ Representation to offset the transphobia:

The Rocky Horror Picture Show
Heated Rivalry

Scary Basements and horror beneath the surface:

Home Alone
The Black Phone
Barbarian
The Ring

Random Connections:

Home for the Holidays, directed by Jodie Foster

Old Gods of Appalachia for Clarice’s West Virginia background
Stranger Things Season 4, especially Nancy and Robin visiting Victor Creel
American Horror Story: Asylum

Love Actually for unreasonable standards of thinness
Super Troopers for the state trooper connection
Oklahoma! because Lecter says, “People will say we’re in love”
When Harry Met Sally for “Surrey with the Fringe on Top”

 Homework:

Watch Mindhunter. We’re discussing both seasons, so get as far as you can. Prepare for discussion about criminal profiling, Ed Kemper, the Behavioral Science Unit, and what makes a monster.

And remember: Beware of strangers in slings. Watch your pens. And do not turn your back on Hannibal Lecter.

 Special thanks to Nancy Azano for our cover art (Instagram: @nancyazano) and Harry Kidd for our music (Instagram: @harryjkidd, Spotify).