Whether or not, as some contend, this is a better movie than The Silence of the Lambs (the second and more celebrated film adaptation of novelist Thomas Harris's source material), it is undoubtedly a gripping psycho-chiller. William Petersen plays the former FBI whizz, hauled from retirement to help hunt down a sophisticated serial murderer. Strong performances, especially from Brian Cox as Hannibal Lecktor, combine with a clever plot and top-notch direction by Michael Mann to produce an atmospheric and arresting thriller.

FBI Agent Will Graham, who retired after catching Hannibal Lecktor, returns to duty to engage in a risky cat-and-mouse game with Lecktor to capture a new killer.