Primal Fear

Primal Fear

1996

When a blood-spattered altar boy (Ed Norton) is found running from a murder scene, his conviction seems certain. But when arrogant defense attorney Martin Vail (Richard Gere) steps in, the issue of the boy's possible guilt may be less important than winning the case. Based on the novel by William Diehl, this twisty thriller delivers a perfect police procedural with characters that are deeper than they appear.

Sooner or later a man who wears two faces forgets which one is real.

JBscale
70
Very Good

Film Detail

Genre
Thriller - Drama
Length
2 hrs. 10 mins.
US Theatrical Release
April 3, 1996
US Box Office
$56,059,267 (#1676 of 7538)
Global Office
$102,616,183 (#1623 of 4500)
Rating
R
Restricted
Language, Sexual Content, Violence

Collection Detail

Edition
Hard Evidence Edition Digital Only
Resolution | Digital Platform
Fandango at Home Fandango at Home
Aspect Ratio
WS 1.85:1
Audio
English: DD+ 5.1
Studio
Paramount
Released
March 10, 2009
Acquired Date
November 22, 2012
Times Seen
3 Times
Last Watched
May 22, 2009

Actors

Richard Gere
Richard Gere
Laura Linney
Laura Linney
Edward Norton
Edward Norton
Frances McDormand
Frances McDormand
John Mahoney
John Mahoney
Alfre Woodard
Alfre Woodard
Terry O'Quinn
Terry O'Quinn
Andre Braugher
Andre Braugher
Steven Bauer
Steven Bauer
Stanley Anderson
Stanley Anderson
Maura Tierney
Maura Tierney
Joe Spano
Joe Spano
Tony Plana
Tony Plana
Jon Seda
Jon Seda
Reg Rogers
Reg Rogers
Kenneth Tigar
Kenneth Tigar
Brian Reddy
Brian Reddy
Christopher Carroll
Christopher Carroll
Wendy Cutler
Wendy Cutler
Ron O.J. Parson
Ron O.J. Parson

Directors

Gregory Hoblit
Gregory Hoblit

Producers

Gary Lucchesi
Gary Lucchesi

Writers

Steve Shagan
Steve Shagan
Ann Biderman
Ann Biderman

Other Recommendations

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1994

Southland: Season 2

2010

User Reviews

  • Edward Norton's breakout role. He blew me away.

    6.18.2007 by biglummox (9/10)

Ratings

JB Users
90
Superior
RT Fresh
77%
Tomatometer
47 votes
RT Fresh Certified
89%
Popcornmeter
3,796 votes
METASCORE
47
18 votes
IMDb RATING
7.7/10
255,168 votes

Additional Info

  1. IMDb
  2. Kids-in-Mind
  3. Common Sense Media