Silence of the Lambs
The Plot
In order to catch “Buffalo Bill,” a serial killer who is stalking and skinning his female victims, FBI trainee Clarice Starling is sent to interview Hannibal Lecter, who—well, you all know who Hannibal Lecter is. And if you don’t, look at his first name and take a gander at what got him thrown into the Baltimore State Hospital for the Criminally Insane in the first place.
Hannibal is highly intelligent and offers to help Clarice with her investigation, with a few select catches. As Lecter’s help leads to breakthroughs in the investigation that would be utterly impossible without his very specific insight, Clarice continues to seek him out; and grow even more embroiled in his psychological games as a result. Caught between two dangerous killers, Clarice may have the only chance of saving Buffalo Bill’s latest victim—or she may die in the attempt.
The Breakdown
More of a psychological horror-thriller than strictly horror alone, Silence of the Lambs is one of the best thrillers out there and a worthy addition to any scare-athon. And in the vein of awesome female characters, it’s hard to beat Clarice Starling. Unlike some of the other female characters mentioned in this list, Clarice’s gender is very much an important facet of her character. As one of the few female FBI trainees, she immediately stands out among the almost entirely male demographic of the FBI. Furthermore, her quarry Buffalo Bill specifically targets women; adding a new level of threat to her involvement. But rather than simply using that fact as an easy button to amp up the tension, Silence uses it as an avenue to explore some interesting questions about gender roles and expectations.
The Scare Factor
Richly atmospheric and deeply disconcerting, this movie is a fantastic mystery with elements of true horror, executed with style.