Manhunter (1986) Horror Thriller Mystery Crime

Manhunter (1986) Movie Release Dates / Movie Details

Updated: September 14, 2024

Manhunter Plot Synopsis:

Will Graham (William Petersen) is a former F.B.I. Agent who recently retired to Florida with his wife Molly (Kim Greist) and their young son, Kevin (David Seaman). Graham was a "profiler", one who profiles criminal's behavior and tries to put his mind into the minds of criminals to examine their thoughts while visiting crime scenes. Will is called out of his self-imposed retirement at the request of his former boss Jack Crawford (Dennis Farina) to help the F.B.I. catch an elusive serial killer, known to the press as the "Tooth Fairy" (Tom Noonan), who randomly kills whole families in their houses during nights of the full moon and leaves bite marks on his victims. To try to search for clues to get into the mind of the killer, Will has occasional meetings with Dr. Hannibal Lecktor (Brian Cox), a charismatic, but very dangerous imprisoned serial killer that Will captured years earlier which nearly drove him insane from the horrific encounter that nearly cost Will's life. With some help and hindrance, Will races against the clock before the next full moon when the "Tooth Fairy" will strike again. Elsewhere, a local photographer named Francis Dollarhyde, the killer for whom Will is looking, struggles to stay undetected while seeing a hope of redemption when be begins a relationship with a blind woman (Joan Allen) who is not aware of his double life.

Synopsis / Plot Summary: Former FBI profiler Will Graham returns to service to pursue a deranged serial murderer named "the Tooth Fairy" by the media.

Tagline: (reissue) Hannibal Lecter"s legacy of evil begins here.

Why Watch Manhunter

You ever catch "Manhunter"? It's this thriller from the '80s, the first one with Hannibal Lecter, way before "Silence of the Lambs" got famous. William Petersen is in it as this FBI guy, Will Graham, who's chasing a serial killer. The twist? He's gotta think like the killer to catch him, and it's pretty intense.

The whole movie's got this rad '80s style. Like, it's got those neon lights and this soundtrack that's just so of the time. It’s kinda retro and cool.

William Petersen is really good in it. He nails being this detective who's diving deep into the mind-hunting stuff, and you can totally see it taking a toll on him. And Brian Cox as Hannibal? He’s a bit more low-key but still has that creepy Hannibal vibe.

I dig "Manhunter" because it's not your everyday cop and killer story. It's got this whole mental game going on, which keeps you hooked. The way the detective and the killer are sort of matching wits? Super engaging.

So yeah, if you're into thrillers and want a bit of that Hannibal backstory, you should check out "Manhunter." It's got a cool '80s feel and a storyline that keeps you guessing. Just heads up, it can get pretty gripping at times!

Manhunter Movie Information:

What is Manhunter Streaming On?

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Check out more movies that start with M and movies from 1986. Manhunter is part of the serial killer movies sub-genre(s), check out more movies like Manhunter. Also, you can find more thriller movies that start with M.

(6) Movie Recommendations

Similar Movies to Manhunter (1986)(Click to Expand)

1. Collateral (2004)
2. Red Dragon (2002) / (read Red Dragon (2002) review)
3. Hannibal (2001) / (read Hannibal (2001) review)
4. The Insider (1999)
5. Hannibal Rising (2007) / (read Hannibal Rising (2007) review)
6. Blow Out (1981)

Manhunter (1986) Cast (Click to Expand)

Fun Facts: 15 Real AGES of Cast

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