Anthony Hopkins as Hannibal: 35 Years of a Cinematic Icon
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By Jack Ransom - February 18, 2026
The Hannibal franchise has had a myriad of non-Hopkins on-screen interpretations. From Brian Cox first bringing the character to cinemas in Michael Mann’s 1986 film Manhunter and the often forgotten Hannibal: Rising, a 2007 prequel to the Hopkins trilogy that is certainly one of the dullest attempts to squeeze the last remaining drops of blood from a recognisable name that I have seen. On the small screen Mads Mikkelsen donned the role for three critically acclaimed seasons and lastly there is the one season of Clarice, which doesn’t feature the Dr. and I’m not sure that anyone has actually watched.
“I do wish we could chat longer, but I’m having an old friend for dinner.”
However, really there is only one face that you picture when the name of the character is mentioned. There are very few performances as iconic, bone chilling and utterly magnetic as Anthony Hopkins’ turn as the well spoken, methodical and cannibalistic Dr. Hannibal Lecter. Frightening audiences and biting into overwhelming critical reception leading to his first Academy Award for Actor in a Leading Role with his first appearance of the character in Jonathan Demme’s The Silence of the Lambs. What can be said about his performance in this film that hasn’t been said already? Like a shark looming beneath the surface, a coiled viper ready to strike. His piercing hypnotic eyes, flickering drawling tones and outbursts of disgraced, blood hungry mania make for a perfect performance that is thrilling to watch, especially when he and the equally excellent Jodie Foster are facing off.
10 years later Hopkins returned to the role in Ridley Scott’s 2001 outing Hannibal. This film overall is a mixed bag for me personally (and judging by the critical response), really it did have the impossible task of living up to The Silence of the Lambs. His performance here ups the gravitas and flamboyancy of the character, sure he can still bring the sinister aura when necessary and that scene of him cooking a chunk of Ray Liotta’s brain is as macabre as it is amusing, but at times the way the character is written doesn’t feel like the Hannibal that we were introduced to behind the cell bars.
His third and final (this is one character I don’t think will be getting a legacy sequel) performance as Hannibal arrived just one year later with 2002’s Red Dragon, a prequel to The Silence of the Lambs. I do like Red Dragon and prefer it to Hannibal (shame it is directed by a scumbag though). Hopkins takes more of the backseat here, with Ralph Fiennes’ terrifying Francis Dolarhyde and Edward Norton’s psychically tinged Will Graham at the forefront. Hopkins leans back into his TSOTL portrayal, which makes sense given the time setting of this story, however he can’t quite escape switching up the hamming meter at certain points.
With The Silence of the Lambs turning 35 this year, it's undeniable just how seeped into pop culture Anthony Hopkins’ performance is still to this day and how, since he appeared as the character all those years ago, only a handful of villain portrayals even come close to the level of fear, resonance and staying power within the collective conscience that he crafted. Time for a rewatch I think!
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