Primal Fear

Name: Primal Fear
Genre: Drama, Mystery, Thriller, Crime
Released: April 3, 1996
Duration: 129 min
Rating: 47
Cast: Edward Norton, Laura Linney, Richard Gere

1996

METASCORE

Mixed or average reviews based on 18 Critic Reviews

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USER SCORE

Universal acclaim based on 193 Ratings

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8.3

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8.3	User Score Universal acclaim based on 193 Ratings

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Primal Fear

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Movie Details & Credits

Paramount Pictures | Release Date: April 3, 1996 | R

Starring: Edward Norton, Laura Linney, Richard Gere

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 theGuilty? 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 the media spotlight. Little does he know that it will uncover a viper's nest of corruption, pit him against a prosecutor (Linney) who's his ex-lover, and test all his skill, judgement and even his win-at-any-cost attitude. (Paramount)… Expand

Director: Gregory Hoblit

Genre(s): Drama, Mystery, Thriller, Crime

Rating: R

Runtime: 129 min

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Metascore

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Critic Reviews

100

Peter Stack

Riveting. Read full review

Kenneth Turan

A tight courtroom melodrama that serves up twist after twist like so many baffling knuckle balls, this film handles its suspenseful material with skill and style. Read full review

Mike Clark

As a forum for its actors and for the big-screen directorial debut of multi-Emmy winner Gregory Hoblit, the film is up to the job.

Jonathan Rosenbaum

Semiabsorbing. Read full review

James Berardinelli

Despite high production standards and a slick advertising campaign, Primal Fear is as trite and routine as any made-for-TV courtroom drama. Read full review

Desson Thomson

The special twist-which Paramount Pictures has implored critics not to divulge-redefines the story completely. It also ruins everything. Read full review

Andrew Ross

It should have been sent straight to video. As a courtroom drama, it stumbles from one ludicrous howler to another. Were the movie's "legal technical advisers" on another planet while the rest of the world was learning about legal procedure courtesy of the O.J. trial? Read full review

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User Reviews

Xenophobe114

Jun 25, 2021

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8 of 10 users found this helpful82

Embalmer98

Jun 11, 2021

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2 of 3 users found this helpful21

Akshadas

Sep 10, 2019

This movie is the true definition of a crime thriller and the absolute best in its genre! Impeccable and commendable acting by Edward Norton! Richard Gere's style, relatively uncharacteristic and new in that era is equally immersive. The plot, storyline and execution is just brilliant! IfThis movie is the true definition of a crime thriller and the absolute best in its genre! Impeccable and commendable acting by Edward Norton! Richard Gere's style, relatively uncharacteristic and new in that era is equally immersive. The plot, storyline and execution is just brilliant! If you are a true cinephile, you will absolutely love this movie and appreciate the beauty of it. It goes much beyond a courtroom drama and is one of the gems of that era. Must watch for individuals who love crime thrillers, psychological thrillers and courtroom dramas. I will go as far as to say that the recent movies have been greatly "inspired" by the plot of this movie and copied a lot of it elements but none could execute it as brilliantly as Primal Fear did. The 10/10 is for the brilliant acting and the simple simple but impactful execution of the storyline.… Expand

4 of 4 users found this helpful40

gracjanski

Feb 15, 2021

Edward Norton is the reason to see this movie, what a performance. The rest of the movie is not on the same level: Somehow I didnt like Richard Gere, Laura Linney and some scenes. So sometimes the movie felt too long.

1 of 7 users found this helpful16

Tss5078

Feb 22, 2013

Based on a best selling novel by William Diehl, Primal Fear stars Richard Gere, as a high powered defense attorney, who decides to take on what appears to be an open and shut case, just so he can get his face on Television. The case is intriguing and did what seldom movies can do, surpriseBased on a best selling novel by William Diehl, Primal Fear stars Richard Gere, as a high powered defense attorney, who decides to take on what appears to be an open and shut case, just so he can get his face on Television. The case is intriguing and did what seldom movies can do, surprise me. There is an ending to this film that will just completely blow you away. As for the rest of the film, it was extremely entertaining thanks to the outstanding cast, that features both Richard Gere and a very young, Edward Norton, in one of his first roles. At the time Norton was a no-name, while Gere was the big star. Who would have thought that eventually Norton would become the bigger name? Well, anyone who saw this film and the absolutely tremendous performance Norton gives. To be honest, most court room dramas don't surprise me. You can always tell if the suspect is guilty or innocent, and there is usually some kind of twist in the story. Primal Fear was not so cut and dry, I kept going back and fourth on the suspects guilt or innocence myself. That's because this is a powerful movie, with an unrivaled cast, written by a professional novelist, as opposed to some amateur screenwriter. Primal Fear is a perfect example of what it takes to create a great movie, and after you watch it, let me know if you can figure out where the title comes from. It took me a while to get it, but eventually I did.… Expand

3 of 6 users found this helpful33

grandpajoe6191

Sep 29, 2011

"Primal Fear" is just a average lawyer thriller. But, as Tom Cruise did in "Jerry Maguire", it's the superb acting by Edward Norton that changes the tables of the movie's tone.

5 of 14 users found this helpful59

Broyax

Dec 8, 2017

L'intérêt de ce film procédurier à procédures réside dans son duo d'acteurs, l'un confirmé, l'autre très prometteur... ainsi Richard Gere très convaincant en ténor du Barreau prêt à défendre l'indéfendable (on en a aussi chez nous) qui donne la réplique à Edward Norton dans son rôle deL'intérêt de ce film procédurier à procédures réside dans son duo d'acteurs, l'un confirmé, l'autre très prometteur... ainsi Richard Gere très convaincant en ténor du Barreau prêt à défendre l'indéfendable (on en a aussi chez nous) qui donne la réplique à Edward Norton dans son rôle de psychodingo que le petit jeune maîtrise déjà parfaitement.

Le film vaut également le coup d'oeil pour son final d'une belle ironie, une sorte de cerise sur le gâteau inattendue... mais pour arriver jusque là, il faudra en passer par tous ces blablas d'avocaillons et de cour volubile qui durent une éternité : le rythme en pâtit énormément et le Jury s'est endormi depuis belle lurette.

La mise en scène très molle, typique d'un téléfilm à la petite semaine se révèle assommante et propice à un bon roupillon de l'audience bonne pomme que nous sommes, malgré les acteurs qui ne déméritent pas. Ah si on avait enlevé au moins une demi-heure à ces deux plombes, la physionomie du film en eut été radicalement changée. Peut-être.

Bref, objection Votre Honneur, le film est trop long et irrecevable en l'état... je demande un vote-sanction comme à Koh Lanta : Peur primale doit rentrer chez lui pour se reposer.… Expand

1 of 11 users found this helpful110

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16	#16 Most Discussed Movie of 1996
17	#17 Most Shared Movie of 1996