X

Summary Guilty? Innocent? Those questions aren't for high-powered Chicago attorney Martin Vail (Gere) to decide. His job is to defend - especially if a case will put his name in the headlines and further his career. When Vail hears that a penniless altar boy (Norton) is accused of murdering the local archbishop, he snaps up the case, eager for t...

Primal Fear
Metascore Mixed or Average Based on 18 Critic Reviews
47
User Score Universal Acclaim Based on 194 User Ratings
8.3
My Score
Hover and click to give a rating Saved

Where to Watch

Summary Guilty? Innocent? Those questions aren't for high-powered Chicago attorney Martin Vail (Gere) to decide. His job is to defend - especially if a case will put his name in the headlines and further his career. When Vail hears that a penniless altar boy (Norton) is accused of murdering the local archbishop, he snaps up the case, eager for t...

Where to Watch

Critic Reviews

View All
Metascore
Mixed or Average Based on 18 Critic Reviews
47
33% Positive
6 Reviews
50% Mixed
9 Reviews
17% Negative
3 Reviews

  • All Reviews
  • Positive Reviews
  • Mixed Reviews
  • Negative Reviews

Critic Reviews

View All
Metascore
Mixed or Average Based on 18 Critic Reviews
47
33% Positive
6 Reviews
50% Mixed
9 Reviews
17% Negative
3 Reviews

  • All Reviews
  • Positive Reviews
  • Mixed Reviews
  • Negative Reviews

User Reviews

View All
User Score
Universal Acclaim Based on 194 User Ratings
8.3
89% Positive
172 Ratings
6% Mixed
11 Ratings
6% Negative
11 Ratings

  • All Reviews
  • Positive Reviews
  • Mixed Reviews
  • Negative Reviews

User Reviews

View All
User Score
Universal Acclaim Based on 194 User Ratings
8.3
89% Positive
172 Ratings
6% Mixed
11 Ratings
6% Negative
11 Ratings

  • All Reviews
  • Positive Reviews
  • Mixed Reviews
  • Negative Reviews

Details

View All
Production Company Paramount Pictures, Rysher Entertainment
Release Date Apr 3, 1996
Duration 2 h 9 m
Rating R
Tagline There was never an Aaron
Golden Globes, USA
• 1 Win & 1 Nomination
Academy Awards, USA
1 Nomination
Chicago Film Critics Association Awards
• 1 Win & 2 Nominations