Primal Fear poster

Primal Fear(1996)

2h 10mCrime, Drama, Mystery, ThrillerEnglish
7.7/10
3,963 user ratings

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

Overview

Defense attorney Martin Vail takes on jobs for money and prestige rather than any sense of the greater good. His latest case involves an altar boy, accused of brutally murdering the archbishop of Chicago. Vail finds himself up against his ex-pupil and ex-lover, but as the case progresses and the Church's dark secrets are revealed, Vail finds that what appeared a simple case takes on a darker, more dangerous aspect.

Director

Gregory Hoblit

Studio

Paramount Pictures

Budget

$30M

Revenue

$103M

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Cast

Richard Gere

Richard Gere

as Martin Vail

Laura Linney

Laura Linney

as Janet Venable

Edward Norton

Edward Norton

as Aaron/Roy Stampler

John Mahoney

John Mahoney

as Shaughnessy

Alfre Woodard

Alfre Woodard

as Shoat

Frances McDormand

Frances McDormand

as Molly

Terry O'Quinn

Terry O'Quinn

as Yancy

Andre Braugher

Andre Braugher

as Goodman

Steven Bauer

Steven Bauer

as Pinero

Joe Spano

Joe Spano

as Stenner

Tony Plana

Tony Plana

as Martinez

Stanley Anderson

Stanley Anderson

as Rushman

Where to Watch

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Movie Facts

Release Year

1996

Runtime

2h 10m

Language

English

Rating

7.7 / 10

Budget

$30M

Box Office

$103M

Production Companies

Paramount Pictures • Rysher Entertainment

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Frequently Asked Questions

Where can I watch Primal Fear?

Check the "Where to Watch" section above for current streaming platforms, rental options, and purchase links for Primal Fear (1996).

What is Primal Fear about?

Defense attorney Martin Vail takes on jobs for money and prestige rather than any sense of the greater good. His latest case involves an altar boy, accused of brutally murdering the archbishop of Chicago. Vail finds himself up against his ex-pupil and ex-lover, but as the case progresses and the Church's dark secrets are revealed, Vail finds that what appeared a simple case takes on a darker, more dangerous aspect.

Who directed Primal Fear?

Primal Fear was directed by Gregory Hoblit and released in 1996. It is a crime, drama, mystery, thriller film.

How long is Primal Fear?

Primal Fear has a runtime of 2 hours and 10 minutes (130 minutes total).

Who stars in Primal Fear?

The cast of Primal Fear includes Richard Gere as Martin Vail, Laura Linney as Janet Venable, Edward Norton as Aaron/Roy Stampler, John Mahoney as Shaughnessy, Alfre Woodard as Shoat and more.

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