Manhunter

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Manhunter

R

1986

2h 0m

Mystery & Thriller

Crime

Drama

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

89%

Tomatometer

55 Reviews

77%

Popcornmeter

50,000+ Ratings

FBI criminal profiler Will Graham (William Petersen) is called out of early retirement to assist on a serial murder case involving a killer known as the "Tooth Fairy" (Tom Noonan). Graham enlists the help of imprisoned serial killer -- and cannibal -- Dr. Hannibal Lecter (Brian Cox), who is the reason Graham took an early retirement. Soon, Graham and the FBI are entangled in a deadly cat-and-mouse game between the Tooth Fairy, Lecter and an interfering journalist (Stephen Lang).

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Critics Consensus

Michael Mann introduces audiences to Hannibal Lecter for the first time in Manhunter, a modish thriller that fleshes out Thomas Harris' heinous creations with an elegant, chilling detachment.

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Anthony Miglieri

Chicago Reader

Jul 24

The Final Cut experience punctures the airtight cool of the original.

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Peter Travers

The Travers Take

Jul 24

3.5/4

In case you didn’t know there was a Hannibal Lecter before Tony Hopkins, Michael Mann brings his 1986 crime thriller back to theaters with a revelatory, pre-"Succcession" Brian Cox. Fasten your seatbelts.

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Wendy Ide

The Times (UK)

09/08/2023

This slick thriller has been overshadowed by The Silence of the Lambs, but it is a compelling piece of film-making.

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Maitland McDonagh

MaitlandOnMovies (Substack)

Jul 23

A brilliant marriage of traditional policiers and seductive nightmare, painted in shades of ’80s, 'Manhunter' looked amazing four decades ago and looks even more amazing now [in the 4K 40th-anniversary 'Manhunter: The Final Cut'].

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David Elliott

Copley News Service

Jan 7

Mann's approach is preening and full of nightmarish portents that never clarify the rushed, confusing plot.

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Richard Freedman

Newark Star-Ledger

Dec 30

Its inherent action and suspense are practically buried beneath Mann's pretentious direction.

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Lyle

Jul 27

Excellent restoration!

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Phil D

@phildub 1d

Michael Mann is fantastic. Great job of making Thomas Harris’ work come to life. Mind Hunter is basically a direct copy of this even down to the FBI duo.

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Pauly G

@PauleyinMD 2d

The OG Dr. Hannibal Lecter film! Another Michael Mann masterpiece! Well written & masterfully acted! Brian Cox is as clever & devious, as he is scary ("Hannibal")! William Petersen (as "Will Graham") is as tough as they come, and Tom Noonan (R.I.P.) as "Dollarhyde" will make the hair stand up on the back of your neck! Excellent movie on all fronts! If you're a fan of the Thomas Harris books, and haven't seen this one yet, you're missing out!👍🏻👍🏻

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Josh W

@josh2077 3d

Classic Michael Mann.

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Rey T

@TheRey6 Jul 26

Very Good Film. Cool End Song.

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Paul D

@RebelOrca Jul 22

I love this little gem of a movie from the 80's! It is slow paced but so is the book. I actually enjoy this version over the Hollywood remade version - Red Dragon with Ed Norton and Ralph Fiennes. Plus the soundtrack is provided by Shriekback!

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Michael Mann

Director

William Petersen

Will Graham

Kim Greist

Molly Graham

Dennis Farina

Jack Crawford

Joan Allen

Reba

Brian Cox

Dr. Lecktor

Manhunter: Exclusive Movie Clip - Become God

1:57

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Synopsis

FBI criminal profiler Will Graham (William Petersen) is called out of early retirement to assist on a serial murder case involving a killer known as the "Tooth Fairy" (Tom Noonan). Graham enlists the help of imprisoned serial killer -- and cannibal -- Dr. Hannibal Lecter (Brian Cox), who is the reason Graham took an early retirement. Soon, Graham and the FBI are entangled in a deadly cat-and-mouse game between the Tooth Fairy, Lecter and an interfering journalist (Stephen Lang).

Director: Michael Mann
Producer: Dino De Laurentiis
Screenwriter: Michael Mann
Distributor: Sony Pictures Entertainment
Production Co: Columbia, Sony Pictures Classics
Rating: R
Genre: Mystery & Thriller, Crime, Drama
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Aug 22, 1986, Original
Rerelease Date (Theaters): Jul 24, 2026
Release Date (Streaming): Apr 19, 2016
Box Office (Gross USA): $76.7K
Runtime: 2h 0m
Sound Mix: Surround
Aspect Ratio: Scope (2.35:1)

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