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 162 Ratings

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8.7

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8.7	User Score Universal acclaim based on 162 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

Positive:

Mixed:

Negative:

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

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

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

FilmQueen

Nov 25, 2015

This film is great! Edward Norton is outstanding and the plot is also pretty good. Although the twist is a bit predictable, I still think it's very good.

0 of 1 users found this helpful01

Compi24

May 3, 2013

Chock-full of dazzling "holy sh*t" moments, "Primal Fear" not only delivers intrigue as a fascinating courtroom drama would, but it also shocks you the way a gripping thriller would.

3 of 5 users found this helpful32

Herlyanti

Jan 6, 2016

This movie really reminded of The Fugitive, including the running time. Only 1 minute differs and never made me sleepy no matter how late I watched it. I really enjoyed the thrill. Love the music so much. No wonder, actually, cause it's scored by the same person so it sounds pretty similar.This movie really reminded of The Fugitive, including the running time. Only 1 minute differs and never made me sleepy no matter how late I watched it. I really enjoyed the thrill. Love the music so much. No wonder, actually, cause it's scored by the same person so it sounds pretty similar. Hihi. Sorry, can't help.
I always fall in love with movie screening drama trial. And this movie gives me one, plus the psychological element. I like the plot twist, but surely I need more. I need to be shaken even more, to make the story more unpredictable. Btw, I couldn't quite follow what happened between Mr. Shaughnessy, Archbishop Rushman and Joey. Yeah, call me stupid… Expand

0 of 1 users found this helpful01

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.

3 of 7 users found this helpful34

DollCrush

Oct 29, 2013

Great performance from Edward Norton with a combination of innocence and sadist. Couldn't think anyone more suitable playing Aaron Stampler and could radiates the same energy as Edward did in "Primal Fear". Richard Gere was great too, only him are much less than I expected.

0 of 1 users found this helpful01

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 2 users found this helpful11

SEE ALL 21 REVIEWS

92	#92 Best Movie of 1996
17	#17 Most Discussed Movie of 1996
17	#17 Most Shared Movie of 1996