What’s Aged the Worst?
The mishandled sequel/prequel franchise, opening typography, profiling pseudoscience, political appropriation of Lecter, Foster’s accent, and trans implications
In the discussion (7)
Approx. transcript time · 01:21:38Read transcript
- The Hannibal novel’s Clarice–Lecter relationship repelled Jodie Foster; the later film rewrite and aging Hopkins prequel are treated as franchise mistakes. — Bill Simmons
- The large opening-credit typography blocking faces is criticized as an early-1990s aesthetic problem. — Bill Simmons
- Criminal profiling is described as much less reliable than the film assumes. — Chris Ryan
- Donald Trump’s 2024 references to Hannibal Lecter are identified as a degrading later association. — Bill Simmons
- Jodie Foster’s accent remains an explicit weakness. — Chris Ryan
- Serial killers communicating through neat anagrams is judged dated, though the panel misses the puzzle theatricality.
- The film’s failure to make Demme’s intended distinction between Gumb and trans identity clear enough is preserved as a serious contemporary criticism. — Bill Simmons