Storyline
An arrogant, high-powered attorney takes on the case of a poor altar boy found running away from the scene of the grisly murder of the bishop who has taken him in. The case gets a lot more complex when the accused reveals that there may or may not have been a 3rd person in the room. The intensity builds when a surprise twist alters everyone's perception of the crime.
Directors
Cast
Trailer
Reviews
80
A tight courtroom melodrama that serves up twist after twist like so many baffling knuckle balls, this film handles its suspenseful material with skill and style.
75
USA Today
As a forum for its actors and for the big-screen directorial debut of multi-Emmy winner Gregory Hoblit, the film is up to the job.
50
Norton's performance and the well-paced tension preceding the movie's climactic sequence provide an entertaining if slightly predictable thriller.
50
The sky-high sleaze quotient -- lascivious priests, amateur porn movies, teenage hustlers and institutionalized corruption of every kind -- ought to guarantee fun for all, but heavy messages keep poking through and spoiling everything.
50
ReelViews
Despite high production standards and a slick advertising campaign, Primal Fear is as trite and routine as any made-for-TV courtroom drama.
Other Movies You Might Enjoy
Jun 17, Jun 2010Wild Target (2010)
Apr 7, Apr 2017The Case for Christ (2017)
Mar 5, Mar 2009Toys in the Attic (2009)
Mar 15, Mar 2006V for Vendetta (2005)
Jun 13, Jun 2025Echo Valley (2025)
Sep 22, Sep 2016The Invisible Guest (2016)
May 14, May 2026The Crash (2026)
Jun 13, Jun 2013Summer in February (2013)