Jonathan Demme’s The Silence of the Lambs, a landmark in horror cinema, will arrive on the Peacock streaming platform on November 1. Known as the only horror film to have won an Academy Award for Best Picture, the 1991 classic introduced audiences to the unnerving world of Hannibal Lecter and FBI agent Clarice Starling, leaving a lasting impact on the genre and inspiring countless imitators.  

Set during an FBI investigation into a string of serial killings, The Silence of the Lambs follows rookie agent Clarice Starling, played by Jodie Foster, as she seeks insights from incarcerated cannibal and psychiatrist Dr. Hannibal Lecter, portrayed by Anthony Hopkins. “He’s a monster, but at the same time, he’s charismatic,” said Foster in a 1991 interview about Lecter’s character. “There’s this push-and-pull between horror and fascination that keeps the audience gripped.”

The film was not only a critical success but also a historic one at the 64th Academy Awards, winning five Oscars, including Best Picture, Best Director (Demme), Best Actor (Hopkins), Best Actress (Foster) and Best Adapted Screenplay (Ted Tally). It joined the ranks of films achieving the “Big Five” sweep at the Oscars, a feat only accomplished by three films before it.

While The Silence of the Lambs has been available on streaming before, its Peacock debut is well-timed, coming just as the Halloween season ends, though many argue its appeal extends far beyond the spooky season. “It transcends the genre,” said film critic Roger Ebert in a review. “This is a horror story, yes, but it’s also an incredible thriller that examines the darkest parts of human psychology.”

Despite its accolades, no other horror film has since taken the top Oscar prize, though genre-defining movies like Get Out, Hereditary, and Us have garnered critical acclaim. As fans of the genre debate the Oscars’ limited recognition of horror, The Silence of the Lambs remains a singular triumph, its influence enduring in Hollywood’s often skeptical view of horror.