Hannibal Lector is pretty much the gold standard when it comes to charismatic serial killers. He's a charming, sophisticated man, who just happens to have a taste for human flesh. Is that a deal breaker? The magic of Hannibal, and probably why he has become so popular over the years, is largely down to his ability to simultaneously fascinate and repulse us. Even the characters in the film can't help but be drawn in to his psychopathic allure. While Anthony Hopkins was the man who originated the iconic role of Hannibal back in 1991's Silence of the Lambs (only the third film in history to win the Big Five Oscars - Best Picture, Best Actor, Best Actress, Best Director, and Best Adapted Screenplay), the beauty of the character is that it isn't limited to just that one portrayal. Mads Mikkelsen has been taking a pretty fair crack at the famous cannibal in NBC's Hannibal, introducing his unconventional diet to a new generation of audiences.
Audrey Fox is an ex-film student, which means that she prefers to spend her days in the dark, watching movies and pondering the director's use of diegetic sound. She currently works as an entertainment writer, joyfully rambling about all things film and television related. Add her on Twitter at @audonamission and check out her film blog at 1001moviesandbeyond.com.
