10 Horror Movie Villains Who Broke Their Own Rules
9. Hannibal Lecter Doesn't Eat Clarice - Hannibal
Hannibal may not have a rule about who he eats and who he lets live, but he definitely makes it a priority to cover his tracks and maintain his indulgent lifestyle. When it comes to Clarice, this rule goes right out the window. Thank goodness it does. otherwise we wouldn't have a story, would we?
The Hannibal Lecter character is presented with plenty of opportunities to eat and devour Detective Clarice Starling, but he always manages to restrain himself. Even while holding the unconscious cop in his arms, he is able to fight his own temptations and let her live.
How does he expect to maintain his lavish lifestyle if he allows the only person who will ever be able to take him down, live? The number one rule of being a serial killer is to leave no trail. Clarice Starling is one big trail and he practically left her with all the clues and a map.
Clarice isn't the only person Lecter has left with their life semi-intact. He also makes the mistake of not killing Mason Verger. This is less of a mistake as it is a nuisance, but it put a massive target on his back.