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Primal Fear
Primal Fear
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Primal Fear

Primal Fear

1996
Drama, Crime
2h 9m
Guilty? Innocent? Those questions aren't for Chicago attorney Martin Vail to decide. When Vail hears that a penniless altar boy 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...

Directed by:

Gregory Hoblit

Screenwriter:

William Diehl, Steve Shagan

Starring:

Laura Linney, Frances McDormand, Edward Norton, John Mahoney, Stanley Anderson, Richard Gere, Alfre Woodard, Andre Braugher, Maura Tierney, Jon Seda, Steven Bauer, Terry O'Quinn

Genres:

Drama, Crime, Mystery

Country:

USA

Languages:

English, Spanish
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Primal Fear

1996
Drama, Crime
2h 9m
Your probable score
Ratings & Reviews Cast Collections Similar Stats Trailer
Avg Percentile 60.96% from 3838 total ratings
Ratings & Reviews Cast Collections Similar Stats Trailer

Ratings & Reviews

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eveeluneveelun
Rated 07 Dec 2007
68
37th
Ed Norton's performance is the standout here, otherwise pretty forgettable little crime drama.
Rated 07 Dec 2007
okkervilOkkervil
Rated 01 Aug 2009
71
70th
Entertaining thriller that even Richard Gere doesn't ruin! Norton is supurb, the plot is engaging, if a tad see through and the twist (although not completly unexpected) is well presented. Pretty good.
Rated 01 Aug 2009
mentaculusMentaculus
Rated 14 Nov 2009
64
40th
Everyone keeps talking about Norton, but I was impressed by the overall performances of the main players AND consummate character actors. An above-average courtroom drama, but lessened by Gere playing the same damn thing in Chicago 5 years later.
Rated 14 Nov 2009
omgfridgeomgfridge
Rated 19 Apr 2010
8
79th
Legal thriller that doesn't seem to break any boundaries but the great cast and well paced screenplay make it feel fresh. Edward Norton proves to be an absolute star.
Rated 19 Apr 2010
deaddillydeaddilly
Rated 28 Aug 2018
60
26th
Effectively now a retrospective on the immense talent of Norton and the corniness of the twist obsessed 90's.
Rated 28 Aug 2018
kasperlKasperL
Rated 28 Nov 2012
90
97th
The ending is a doozy, but it's the excellent acting by the three leads that elevates this courtroom drama to a modern classic. Particularly Norton's Oscar-nominated debut performance.
Rated 28 Nov 2012
pickpocketPickpocket
Rated 27 Jan 2007
5
44th
Norton's first role and he really steals every scene he's in.
Rated 27 Jan 2007
chris888chris888
Rated 15 May 2007
92
70th
Interesting Twist.
Rated 15 May 2007
tripleshTripleSH
Rated 14 Aug 2007
84
77th
Definitely one of the, if not the singular breakout role for Ed Norton. You can see from this film alone that he would go on to make more great films in the future.
Rated 14 Aug 2007
rollotomasiRolloTomasi
Rated 14 Aug 2007
70
35th
Great perf by Norton and a suprising twist ending, but not that impressive on the whole.
Rated 14 Aug 2007
ytadelYtadel
Rated 14 Aug 2007
6
70th
A decently effective courtroom drama that instantaneously established the then-new Edward Norton as someone to watch with a steal-the-show performance.
Rated 14 Aug 2007
budleonardBudLeonard
Rated 28 Oct 2007
90
53rd
Edward Norton, the performances, and the twist ending are what save this movie. OMG SPOILERZ: I keep hoping for a sequel with Norton's character.
Rated 28 Oct 2007
etherielEtheriel
Rated 01 Feb 2009
74
72nd
A dark story about the humanity and morals of attorneys. Edward Norton is fantastic.
Rated 01 Feb 2009
anomalyAnomaly
Rated 23 Jul 2009
69
47th
Norton's great, otherwise this is an average (if a bit too cliche) court drama.
Rated 23 Jul 2009
venturaventura
Rated 08 Sep 2009
60
35th
Edward Norton plus plot twist equals really good film
Rated 08 Sep 2009
lucluc
Rated 03 Dec 2009
70
70th
The final scene was the best. Decent movie with 2 topactors : R.Gere and E.Norton. R.Gere was very good in his acting but E.Norton was really great in his performance. I've seen another movie of him "The Score" were he also played a nutcase. Such role he can play as the best.
Rated 03 Dec 2009
brightpointbrightpoint
Rated 15 Mar 2010
62
38th
Apart from a nice twist at the end, nothing much else happens during the movie and moves at a boring pace.Standout performance from Norton.
Rated 15 Mar 2010
paxtonPaxton
Rated 23 Jul 2017
79
74th
Spoiler Alert! Turns out he's an Illusionist.
Rated 23 Jul 2017
djrossdjross
Rated 21 Mar 2015
30
12th
Uninspired and silly courtroom drama that to some extent thematises the nonsense that can result from the coalescence of law and psychiatry but never avoids the nonsense that can result from the coalescence of Hollywood and psychiatry. Mainly of interest as a historical record of the oversized coats and suit jackets popular during the mid-1990s, though fans of the lead actor will no doubt insist he looks good in anything. First of the director's half-dozen crappy features before returning to TV.
Rated 21 Mar 2015
nobletNoblet
Rated 08 May 2016
67
43rd
It took me way too long to realize that this ISN'T the movie where Laura Linney shoots super-apes with a laser while inside a volcano(?).
Rated 08 May 2016
nathan_sNathan S
Rated 09 May 2016
2
21st
Standard fare: cold lawyerisms and courtroom revelations, psychiatric sensationalism and a shaken sense of justice. Features Ed Norton in an Oscar-nominated campy performance, doing his best to channel Brad Dourif's Billy Bibbit.
Rated 09 May 2016
murravenerMurravener
Rated 26 Feb 2007
83
73rd
Norton shines in one of his most challenging roles in one of his earlier films as a boy up for trial for a murder. A thought provoking and very well written movie.
Rated 26 Feb 2007
thedicemanTheDiceman
Rated 02 Mar 2007
65
73rd
Pretty good.
Rated 02 Mar 2007
lonercmlonercm
Rated 05 Mar 2007
40
18th
Good performances abound, but they can't save this limp, watered down adaptation of the entertaining novel.
Rated 05 Mar 2007
auritechauritech
Rated 30 Mar 2007
53
42nd
Edward Norton's first appearance in a film showed he was a good actor to come, but really this was a Richard Gere vehicle with a silly legal angle and flimsy plot devices.
Rated 30 Mar 2007
eric_janeric-jan
Rated 14 Nov 2023
70
54th
Very cool cast! And what an unforgettable ending. I'd say one of the first of it's kind. A huge "gotcha" movie that focusses around multiple personality disorder.
Rated 14 Nov 2023
emre_eEmre E.
Rated 29 Jan 2020
70
13th
Tanınmış bir başpiskoposun öldürülmesi ile oluşan hukuksal sürecin anlatıldığı filmin büyük çoğunluğu sorgu ve mahkeme odasında geçmesine karşın seyirciyi sıkmıyor,güçlü oyunculuklar filme olan ilgiyi hep ayakta tutuyor.Edward Norton bu ilk sinema filminde adeta devleşmiş ve dönemin oldukça popüler ismi Richard Gere’ı gölgede bırakmış.Genel olarak avukatlık ve hukuksal konularda ders niteliği taşıyacak sahneler içeren film,çarpıcı bir finale sahip.
Rated 29 Jan 2020
mrbeckmrbeck
Rated 14 Aug 2007
70
58th
Pretty darned good... kind of old school, so it's not going to keep you sitting on the edge of your seat or anything for the majority of it. It does keep you guessing right until the end though, and it's worth it.
Rated 14 Aug 2007
jayaprakashsjayaprakashs
Rated 14 Aug 2007
50
58th
Does what it does well.
Rated 14 Aug 2007
ozymandius10ozymandius10
Rated 14 Aug 2007
83
84th
Great performance from Edward Norton.
Rated 14 Aug 2007
spoonerspotspoonerspot
Rated 14 Aug 2007
77
45th
Edward Norton is his usual excellence
Rated 14 Aug 2007
calabriaCalabria
Rated 27 Apr 2019
79
51st
much more dime a dozen now than it was then
Rated 27 Apr 2019
webdwwebdw
Rated 02 Sep 2007
60
33rd
OK mystery and legal drama but the plot twists are easy to see in advance. It seems like this was done before and has been done since.
Rated 02 Sep 2007
mjvmoviemanMJVmovieMan
Rated 05 Sep 2007
86
89th
One of my favorite legal thrillers. Engrossing and consistently well-acted.
Rated 05 Sep 2007
mojopinmojopin
Rated 11 Sep 2007
30
36th
Nonsensical ending
Rated 11 Sep 2007
dustydDustyd
Rated 16 Sep 2007
70
63rd
worth watching.
Rated 16 Sep 2007
ktappektappe
Rated 18 Nov 2007
70
40th
There are better courtroom dramas out there, but this one's passable. The buildup is slow, you never really feel all that much for the characters, and they try to slip a romantic angle in that never really goes anywhere, but if you like lawyer flicks this is worth seeing. There are twists but somehow they feel less satisfying than they should have.
Rated 18 Nov 2007
hadleyreisHadleyreis
Rated 04 Jun 2023
80
76th
Ladies and gentlemen, I'm going to prove to you not only that Aaron is not guilt, but that he is also guilty of being innocent.
Rated 04 Jun 2023
cgcorecgcore
Rated 10 Dec 2007
75
87th
this is how you become edward norton. what a performance..
Rated 10 Dec 2007
slow_riotSlow Riot
Rated 18 Jan 2008
85
82nd
Interesting film, worth watching.
Rated 18 Jan 2008
therevTheRev
Rated 15 Mar 2008
77
47th
Norton was great. Movie was flat...
Rated 15 Mar 2008
nandorizzinandorizzi
Rated 24 Apr 2008
95
97th
It is an excellent movie, with the best acting of Richard Gere and with great first time of Edward Norton in a movie! Surprising end.
Rated 24 Apr 2008
vandelay1Vandelay1
Rated 14 Jun 2008
84
94th
Nice
Rated 14 Jun 2008
jhmclellanjhmclellan
Rated 09 Aug 2008
90
86th
Disturbingly excellent.
Rated 09 Aug 2008
kuroelKuroel
Rated 15 Jul 2022
61
57th
The legal realism in the movie is closer to fantasy. That being said, Norton has a knack for dual personality characters (he’s been in how many split personality movies, I just realized!?). Vail’s interviewer was a lazy plot point for exposition. I think they could have shown his hubris in other ways. Gere is also maybe a little bit miscast as Vail. An amoral hotshot lawyer should have been someone who has little more grit. Gere’s too typecast as a hero and Vail certainly was not one.
Rated 15 Jul 2022
director26director26
Rated 08 Nov 2018
91
98th
Filmin aldığı bu puanın çok daha üstünde bir puanı hakettiğini düşünüyorum. Gerek sonunun sarsıcı olması gerek defalarca insanı ters köşe yapmasıyla kesinlikle özel bir film. Ayrıca Richard Gere ve özellikle de Erward Norton'un oyunculuğu muhteşem. 9.1/10
Rated 08 Nov 2018
tiny_ladytiny lady
Rated 04 Oct 2008
100
72nd
Frantastic Ricard Gere film
Rated 04 Oct 2008
lydia69lydia69
Rated 13 Oct 2008
80
31st
The movie had enough twists and turns to keep the viewer interested.
Rated 13 Oct 2008
tathieltathiel
Rated 18 Oct 2008
80
67th
Very good performance on Edward Norton's side especially towards the end, the rest is rather mediocre.
Rated 18 Oct 2008
tisfortruthTisforTruth
Rated 15 Dec 2008
88
55th
An awesome performance by Edward Norton!
Rated 15 Dec 2008
xaddictxaddict
Rated 28 Jan 2009
67
49th
Very good, and a bit weird. Norton does an excellent job.
Rated 28 Jan 2009
teemukeskteemukesk
Rated 05 Jul 2022
84
81st
Such a great film, easily carried by the performances of Gene, Linney and especially Ed Norton. Topped with a nice haunting score and a good old twist, it's a very convincing and gripping thriller.
Rated 05 Jul 2022
ruderude
Rated 08 Jun 2009
60
33rd
First-time feature-film director Gary Hoblit turns the last half of his film into a mediocre episode of "L.A. Law."
Rated 08 Jun 2009
pigletPiglet
Rated 10 Jun 2009
73
72nd
I love movies with a twist. This has a few good ones. First time Norton really impressed me.
Rated 10 Jun 2009
dmguidrydmguidry
Rated 22 Jun 2009
72
60th
Easily one of Ed Norton's best performances. He plays a young psychopath that is chilling, and all to realistic.
Rated 22 Jun 2009
fibonaccifibonacci
Rated 09 Jul 2009
70
38th
Great performance by Edward Norton.
Rated 09 Jul 2009
delirium9Delirium9
Rated 22 Jul 2009
85
49th
Gets the high score because of Ed Norton. (I don't like Richard Gere.) The thing is, I'd read the book before seeing the film, so I pretty much knew what was going to happen, and still... Ed's performance blew me away.
Rated 22 Jul 2009
kito1kito1
Rated 01 Jul 2018
70
73rd
Really good. I like the grainy 90s style and the score. It is basically just a courtroom drama, but I was in the right mood for it.
Rated 01 Jul 2018
jensaltmannJensAltmann
Rated 23 Aug 2009
75
65th
Very good movie, well cast, generating lots of tension. You'll want to watch it twice, once for the impact and once to look for all the clues. Unfortunately, this is the kind of movie where knowing how it ends means you can't re-watch it.
Rated 23 Aug 2009
spanksSpanks
Rated 30 Aug 2009
70
69th
Yeah, Norton.
Rated 30 Aug 2009
movieboymovieboy
Rated 03 Sep 2009
80
96th
I read the book "Primal Fear" in the early 90's. The first thing which came to my mind after reading the climax scene in the jail was - I don't think this very good book can ever be made into a good movie, because this scene would be really difficult to act out as it is written. But Ed Norton did it & more in his debut movie.
Rated 03 Sep 2009
pfellahpfellah
Rated 18 Sep 2009
55
32nd
Edward Norton was individually great, but the movie as a whole didn't work for me.
Rated 18 Sep 2009
evilmangoesEvilMangoes
Rated 28 Jan 2018
96
90th
A
Rated 28 Jan 2018
quickyapiQuickyAPI
Rated 18 Dec 2009
55
29th
Great twisted performance of Edward Norton in this entertaining courtroom thriller.
Rated 18 Dec 2009
billkerwinbillkerwin
Rated 25 Dec 2009
84
60th
Good thriller with a great Edward Norton performance.
Rated 25 Dec 2009
nunstranglernunstrangler
Rated 25 Mar 2010
43
16th
Gere turns in a satisfying performance but, except when he's with his client, can't keep the script afloat. Lame plot revelations and an obvious "shocker" ending don't help matters.
Rated 25 Mar 2010
minusfiguresminusfigures
Rated 06 Apr 2010
7
41st
Gere gives us his usual lovable rogue (see Officer and a Gentleman, Pretty Woman, Chicago ect) and Linney exasperates her part as prosecution- underacting and overacting balanced only by Norton's incredible performance. I cant help but feel that Primal Fear is trying to do what The Usual Suspects did a year before, and failing miserably at it. Perhaps Gabriel Byrne should have taken Gere's role instead, maybe then this thriller would have some grit.
Rated 06 Apr 2010
redflagredflag
Rated 24 May 2022
92
65th
Solid '90s all-star cast and brisk pace give us a great little popcorn chomper.
Rated 24 May 2022
capodelnullacapodelnulla
Rated 25 Nov 2017
70
57th
başta norton olmak üzere oyuncu performansları bir kenara konulursa, filmin sürükleyiciliğini sağlayan ve üzerinden geçen bu kadar süre içerisinde aynı türde filmlerin benzer numaralarına rağmen kendisini hala izlenebilir kılıp övgüye mazhar yapan asıl şey olay akışı veya hayli tahmin edilebilir -ki yeterli ipucunu kendisi veriyor zaten- *sürpriz* değil, tüm bu süreçte filmin aslında olayların ötesinde bir şey anlatıyor oluşu ve anlatım kontrolü.
Rated 25 Nov 2017
jamesdepaolojamesdepaolo
Rated 07 Jun 2010
70
42nd
Edward Norton first film...this movie is obvious..you know what to expect the preacher scenes were disturbing..and Richard Gere did the normal schtick for him. Its not horrible or a masterpiece..its just a good little time killer...
Rated 07 Jun 2010
carsonwidCarsonWid
Rated 27 Jun 2010
57
30th
Norton was great but there were far too many legal flaws, and it ended up being generic.
Rated 27 Jun 2010
hellboy76hellboy76
Rated 22 Sep 2010
68
65th
While the movie itself is familiar and not the least bit exceptional, Edward Norton is stunning.
Rated 22 Sep 2010
lazynicklazynick
Rated 24 Sep 2010
96
78th
Edward Norton makes a mediocre thriller into a must-see. This is the perfect match of actor and role and Norton knows it. His slow clap/smirk at the end is priceless.
Rated 24 Sep 2010
doughbarondoughbaron
Rated 11 Nov 2010
70
47th
I was blown away by Primal Fear when I first saw it, but upon rewatch 20 years later, I can see how badly it's aged. Other than Norton, there's nothing that really makes this courtroom drama standout from the dozens of others that were released around the time.
Rated 11 Nov 2010
maakalmaakal
Rated 12 Jan 2011
80
75th
I had no idea this would be so exciting
Rated 12 Jan 2011
gargom04Gargom04
Rated 29 Aug 2024
73
46th
Opinión personal: 7.5 Actores: 8.5 Guión: 7.5 Fotografía: 6 BSO: 6 Otros:7 Iluminación: FX: Director:6 Humor: Vestuario/caracterización: Ritmo:8 Total: 73
Rated 29 Aug 2024
timon88Timon88
Rated 19 Jun 2011
83
86th
Lots of fun--Laura Linney, as usual, transcends her role as it was written, and Edward Norton is fantastic. Even the comparatively lightweight Richard Gere is all right.
Rated 19 Jun 2011
rockatanskyRockatansky
Rated 14 Aug 2011
90
71st
Introducing Edward Norton!Period.
Rated 14 Aug 2011
myfavchordsmyfavchords
Rated 17 Dec 2011
78
72nd
Edward Norton is great in his breakout performance. Laura Linney is also really good. The story is good although I could see the ending coming. Richard Gere is his usual mediocre self.
Rated 17 Dec 2011
filliganFilligan
Rated 06 Jan 2012
89
75th
I'm always pleased when a courtroom thriller can keep me engaged, and Primal Fear does an excellent job weaving its story along. Sure, Norton is the standout here, it's a deserving star-turning role, but Gere and Linney bring their game as well. Endlessly intriguing; I was fascinated by the case the entire time, and sure enough the payoff is excellently done.
Rated 06 Jan 2012
eldarzachEldarZach
Rated 22 Jun 2012
85
86th
Archetypal lawyer movie, with an amazing performance by a young Ed Norton.
Rated 22 Jun 2012
bookhouseboybookhouseboy
Rated 28 Jun 2012
55
74th
Unseen film featuring E.Norton - yes please! It's his movie - but not, and the rest of the cast are solid. A bit overlong and the story would be better with some adjustments, but well worth watching for Norton-fans - and if you aren't then watch more of his movies; this one isn't a bad place to start. *Preview*: #12#, exp-4*, story, reviews, cast, R3.
Rated 28 Jun 2012
mike365365mike365365
Rated 07 Sep 2020
54
21st
Just too predictable.
Rated 07 Sep 2020
moraesfelipemoraesfelipe
Rated 23 Dec 2012
65
61st
A incredibly catchy film for its guilty-or-innocent, psycho-or-crazy dramatic and legal balance, given by Norton's impressive performance. Primal Fear also tells a pessimistic tale about an attorney that is destroyed scene by scene by 1) his self-destructive thoughts of feeling bad about representing criminals, 2) his unability to put the big shots behind bars ans 3) and the impression that he's doing good for those who don't deserve to be defended. American Justice, here, is not be believed.
Rated 23 Dec 2012
msdstcmsdstc
Rated 25 Dec 2012
75
74th
Richard Gere is severely overshadowed by Ed in this one, but still a solid performance. Overly long and fairly generic, but the amazing ending saves it.
Rated 25 Dec 2012
mistersplicemistersplice
Rated 09 Jan 2013
75
77th
7+ highly recommended
Rated 09 Jan 2013
the_pirateThe Pirate
Rated 10 Jul 2013
58
14th
Norton is the only reason I watched this, and his performance proved to be the only reason I liked it. The dialogue sounds less like conversation and more like a criminal justice class lecture. The first hour and a half is pure boredom. The last half hour is just lawyers yelling at each other, the judge playing favorites against Gere's character, and Linney demonstrating how not to behave as a prosecuting attorney.
Rated 10 Jul 2013
thehynesthehynes
Rated 29 Jul 2013
62
75th
A good courtroom drama/psychological thriller. Gere was probably born to play a slick big city lawyer and Norton,in his feature debut, plays his part to perfection
Rated 29 Jul 2013
omaar97omaar97
Rated 03 Nov 2013
94
78th
"Sooner or later a man who wears two faces forgets which one is real"
Rated 03 Nov 2013
hisblobhisblob
Rated 03 May 2020
71
50th
somehow I don't think this is how criminal proceedings work
Rated 03 May 2020
matthagenmatthagen
Rated 17 Mar 2020
63
77th
Seen: 2.
Rated 17 Mar 2020
dulbebdulbeb
Rated 04 Jan 2014
90
71st
Great one. I never cared much for Gere, but he is quite good here. Norton's performance is amazing.
Rated 04 Jan 2014
ednortonfanEdNortonfan
Rated 17 Jan 2014
100
42nd
A Masterpiece .The Performance of Edward Norton in this movie is unbeliveable a performance of a life-time.
Rated 17 Jan 2014
unjmsUnjmS
Rated 05 Aug 2014
78
55th
Excellent episode of law and order
Rated 05 Aug 2014
ocelotOcelot
Rated 20 Aug 2014
45
36th
Ed Norton is the movie equivalent of steroids. Not many debut performances even come close to his here, but aside from him the movie lacks any sort of "oomph." I saw the twist coming from a mile away, though perhaps nearly 20 years later we're so accustomed to twists we've come to expect and prepare for them. The rest of the film is just average. I'd have like to have seen more focus on the sleazeball of Gere's character, but it mostly felt like an episode of Law and Order.
Rated 20 Aug 2014
ajrafflesAJ_Raffles
Rated 14 Sep 2014
76
70th
Edward Norton makes his début with a great role in this. Primal Fear, Richard Gere.
Rated 14 Sep 2014
duderDuder
Rated 21 Apr 2020
75
89th
A very good watch, flies by so well. Directed well and perfect performances from all the actors, especially the leading 3. One of the first good old twists.
Rated 21 Apr 2020
sopachuco13sopachuco13
Rated 01 Feb 2017
80
62nd
Primal Fear is a great lawyer film in the same vein as many John Grisham films. Richard Gere and Laura Linney play two lawyers with complicated pasts that must battle it out in the courtroom over a murder case. Edward Norton plays the defendant, who's unique personality might have led him to commit the crime. It's up to the hot shot lawyers to prove it. The casting in this movie is fantastic. This is one of the earliest examples of Edward Norton being an amazing actor that I can recall.
Rated 01 Feb 2017
cstewart64CStewart64
Rated 12 May 2016
15
82nd
W4E1P1S2V1M1A2R3. I was riveted throughout, and it haunts me every time.
Rated 12 May 2016
knuthknuth
Rated 17 May 2016
80
78th
Freshman Edward Norton is magnificent as the personification of primal fear.
Rated 17 May 2016

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