Hannibal (2024)

Hannibal is a 2024 American psychological horror-thriller film, as well as a sequel to the 2021 film The Silence of the Lambs, directed by Fede Alvarez. Michael Fassbender and Jennifer Lawrence reprised their roles as Dr. Hannibal Lecter and Clarice Starling, respectively. The film begins a decade following the Buffalo Bill case, with Clarice Starling attempting to apprehend Dr. Hannibal Lecter, before one of his former victims, Mason Verger, can capture and murder him.

Plot Synopsis
Ten years after tracking down serial killer Jame Gumb, FBI Special Agent Clarice Starling is unjustly blamed for a botched drug raid. Some time later, Starling is contacted by a man named Mason Verger, who is the only survivor of Hannibal Lecter's killing spree. Verger is revealed to be a well-heeled pedophile who was left a disfigured invalid following an attack by Lecter during one of their sessions together. Verger has been planning to capture, torture, and murder Lecter, before leaving his remains as food for his boards. Using his influence, Verger is able to get Starling to reassigned to Lecter's case, hoping their former relationship will lure him out of hiding.

When Lecter, who has disguised himself through plastic surgery, discovers Starling's widespread infamy, he sends her an intimidating letter. Starling smells a mysterious scent in the letter and utilizes a perfume connoisseur to identify the smell. It is revealed to be a custom made skin cream, made with ingredients which could only be purchased in particular areas around the world. Starling is able to contact the authorities from each town, asking for video recordings of the customers entering and leaving the markets. Chief Inspector Reinaldo Pazzi is investigating the disappearance of a historian in Florence, Italy, one of the select cities. Pazzi questions Dr. Lecter, who is using the alias of Dr. Fell, the historian's assistant and building administrator.

When Pazzi discovers a reward Verger has posted for Lecter's capture, he begins pursuing Lecter under his alias; Pazzi hires a pickpocket to obtain Lecter's fingerprint for DNA, only for the pickpocket to come back mortally wounded. Pazzi goes to apprehend Lecter, despite Starling's warning, and is attacked, murdered, and disemboweled, before Lecter strings his body up from a balcony. Lecter subsequently flies back to the United States.

Verger suborns a Justice Department worker named Paul Krendler to frame Starling for hiding a letter sent by Lecter, resulting in her suspension. When Starling is lured to Union Station by Lecter, Verger's men follow her there and capture Lecter. Starling follows them back to Verger's large home, where he reveals he plans to murder Lecter and then feed his remains to his wild boars. Starling is able to subdue Verger's guards, before rescuing Lecter, only to be wounded by another concealed guard. Lecter rescues Starling, while Verger instructs his nurse, Cordell, to shoot Lecter and Starling. Lecter is able to convince Cordell to murder Verger by throwing him to his boars, due to Cordell's hatred for Verger.

Following Verger's murder, Lecter takes Starling to Krendler's country house. When Krendler arrives to celebrate the Fourth of July, Lecter subdues him and knocks him unconscious. Some time later, Starling, disoriented by morphine and dressed in a black velvet evening gown, awakens to find Krendler seated at the table set for an elegant dinner. Inebriated, Starling is forced to watch as Lecter removes part of Krendler's prefrontal cortex, sautes it, and feeds it to both him and Starling.

After the meal, Starling attempts to seduce Lecter, before attacking him. He is able to overpower her, but Starling manages to handcuff their wrists together. As the police close in, Lecter threatens to sever her cuffed hand to escape, but instead amputates his own. He is later seen on a flight with his own boxed lunch, his bandaged arm in a sling. As he prepares to eat his meal, which is implied to be the remnants of Krendler's cooked brain, a young boy asks to try some of his food. Lecter shares the brain with the boy, commenting how it is important to try new things.

Cast

 * Michael Fassbender as Hannibal Lecter
 * Jennifer Lawrence as Clarice Starling
 * Michael Shannon as Mason Verger
 * Matt Damon as Paul Krendler
 * Chiwetel Ejiofor as Barney Matthews
 * Sergio Castellito as Chief Inspector Reinaldo Pazzi