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Primal Fear

Genres
Crime
Drama
Mystery
Thriller
Rating
7.7
Status
Released
R
Release Date1996-04-03
Runtime130 min
LanguagesEnglishEspañol
CountriesUnited States of America
Budget$30,000,000
Revenue$102,616,183
IMDbView on IMDb

Overview

Defense attorney Martin Vail takes on jobs for money and prestige rather than any sense of the greater good. His latest case involves an altar boy, accused of brutally murdering the archbishop of Chicago. Vail finds himself up against his ex-pupil and ex-lover, but as the case progresses and the Church's dark secrets are revealed, Vail finds that what appeared a simple case takes on a darker, more dangerous aspect.

Keywords
chicago, illinois
death penalty
child abuse
corruption
based on novel or book
court case
court
psychopath
bishop
manipulation
pornographic video
lawyer
capital punishment
whodunit
psychiatrist
mental illness
taunting
murder trial
altar boy
courtroom drama
legal drama
legal thriller
suspenseful
harsh

Videos

2 total
Trailer
Primal Fear (1996) Original Trailer [FHD]

Stream

fuboTV
fuboTV
MGM+ Amazon Channel
MGM+ Amazon Channel
Paramount Plus Premium
Paramount Plus Premium
Paramount Plus Essential
Paramount Plus Essential
Paramount+ Amazon Channel
Paramount+ Amazon Channel
MGM Plus
MGM Plus
Philo
Philo

Buy

Amazon Video
Amazon Video
Apple TV Store
Apple TV Store
Google Play Movies
Google Play Movies
YouTube
YouTube
Fandango At Home
Fandango At Home

Rent

Amazon Video
Amazon Video
Apple TV Store
Apple TV Store
Google Play Movies
Google Play Movies
YouTube
YouTube
Fandango At Home
Fandango At Home

US data via JustWatch

Cast & Crew

poster

Richard Gere

as Martin Vail

poster

Laura Linney

as Janet Venable

poster

Edward Norton

as Aaron/Roy Stampler

poster

John Mahoney

as Shaughnessy

poster

Alfre Woodard

as Shoat

poster

Frances McDormand

as Molly

poster

Terry O'Quinn

as Yancy

poster

Andre Braugher

as Goodman

poster

Steven Bauer

as Pinero

poster

Joe Spano

as Stenner

Reviews

11
C

CinemaSerf

Jun 30, 2022

7/10

I was never the greatest fan of Richard Gere, but this is certainly one of his better performances. He is cocky lawyer "Vail", adept at ensuring his criminal fraternity clients evade justice. When the shocking news that an archbishop has been savagely murdered is announced, he decides on a bit of pro-bono work to defend the young "Aaron" (Ed Norton…

Full review
R

RalphRahal

Dec 14, 2024

8/10

Primal Fear is a masterclass in tension, turning a courtroom drama into a high-stakes thriller under Gregory Hoblit’s sharp direction. Then there’s Edward Norton, in his very first role, who makes such an impression it’s no surprise he went on to win over 15 awards including a Golden Globe for Best Supporting Actor. Playing Aaron, a timid altar …

Full review

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