The Silence of the Lambs Young FBI student Clarice Starling (odie Foster) is searching for "Buffalo Bill," a brutal serial killer a search which leads her to ask for the help of another notorious serial killer, former psychiatrist Hannibal Lecter. Brilliantly played by Anthony Hopkins, Lecter is a dangerous and evil mastermind who provides valuable clues, but at the same time draws Starling into a twisted relationship. Hopkins gives a chilling performance as the terrifying Lecter, for which he won an OSCAR (despite only appearing on screen for a total of 16 minutes!). The terrifying finale is almost too much to bear and could give you nightmares for years to come. This movie made Lecter a cultural icon, but it might prove too distressing for sensitive viewers. Faithful to the book by author Thomas Harris, s is by far the most accomplished movie of all the Hannibal series. Work with a partner.