Primal Fear
1996 · Movie · R · 130 min · ★ 7.7 · 62% critics
A defense attorney takes on a high-profile case involving a young altar boy accused of a brutal murder. As court proceedings unfold, rivalries from the past resurface and the investigation reveals unsettling secrets tied to powerful institutions, turning what seemed straightforward into a far more dangerous matter.
Based on Primal Fear
Where to watch
Watch free on Kanopy and Pluto TV — also streaming on Paramount+, fuboTV, The Criterion Channel +1 more.
2 hours to watch.
Stream (included)
Rent
Streaming availability and prices may be inaccurate or change — verify with the provider before subscribing.
unSUB's subscription recommendations are informational only, not financial advice.
More value for your money
Similar titles, ranked by watch-hours per subscription dollar.
Details
- Years
- 1996
- Release date
- 1996-04-03
- Language
- English
- Rated
- R
- Runtime
- 130 min
- Critic score
- 62/100
- TMDB rating
- 7.7/10 (3,950 votes)
- Box office
- $102,616,183
- Budget
- $30,000,000
About
If you enjoy intelligent legal thrillers with moral ambiguity and unsettling reveals, Primal Fear should land well; Not for you if you want a straightforward, fast-moving courtroom story or prefer something like Shutter Island or Suspect.
Pros: intense courtroom tension; strong performances; gripping twists | Cons: slow pacing; predictable for some; long runtime
Themes
- chicago, illinois
- death penalty
- child abuse
- corruption
- based on novel or book
- court case
- court
- psychopath
- bishop
- manipulation
- pornographic video
- lawyer
- +12 more
Awards & recognition
- Academy Award — Best Supporting Actor · 1997 · nominated
Cast & crew
Richard Gere
as Martin Vail
Laura Linney
as Janet Venable
Edward Norton
as Aaron/Roy Stampler
John Mahoney
as Shaughnessy
Alfre Woodard
as Shoat
Frances McDormand
as Molly
Terry O'Quinn
as Yancy
Andre Braugher
as Goodman
Steven Bauer
as Pinero
Joe Spano
as Stenner
Directed by Gregory Hoblit