Primal Fear
1996 · Movie · 131 min. · United States
In Chicago, an Archbishop has been brutally murdered, and a sweet-faced altar boy named Aaron -- who was seen fleeing the scene of the crime and whose clothes were soaked in blood -- is charged with the crime. Aaron claims he was present when the murder occurred, but that he is not the killer. Coming to Aaron's rescue in this high-profile case is Martin Vail, a cocky lawyer who loves the media's spotlight as much as he loves his job. The legal road ahead of Martin and Aaron is filled with many obstacles, including a very determined prosecuting attorney (who's Martin's ex-lover), revelations about the Archbishop's "relationship" with the altar boys, and Aaron himself, who has a very violent, repugnant second personality named Roy. Is Aaron/Roy guilty? Or is he taking the fall for someone else?
Direction Gregory Hoblit
Cast Richard Gere · Laura Linney · Edward Norton · John Mahoney · Alfre Woodard · Frances McDormand · Maura Tierney · André Braugher · Steven Bauer · Terry O'Quinn · Joe Spano
Soundtrack James Newton Howard
Screenplay Steve Shagan · Ann Biderman · William Diehl
Cinematography Michael Chapman
Original title Primal Fear
7.3
30K votes (FilmAffinity)
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