The Silence of the Lambs - What it all Meant

A thematic analysis of The Silence of the Lambs. Includes talk on the characters motives, transformation, and base identity. If you have a question please ask below and I will get back to you as soon as possible. If you disagree with my interpretation please be polite and state your case with examples. This is a learning experience for everyone and I am happy to be proven incorrect if that be the case. Thank you!
Last Video: • The Road - What it all...
Twitter: / whatitallmeant

[@drekaflugan]

I think it's haunting that the only person who seems to respect and understand Clarice is Hannibal. Imagine if you found yourself emotionally isolated from other people and the only one you could connect with was a murderer. Even if you were a sane person I wonder what kind of effect that would have on your mind.

[@ennbee2051]

The Dragon Hahaha, nooo! What about her buddy played by Kasi Lemmons. Probably some more people as well.

[@persepoliscalipso50]

The Dragon watch mindhunter from netflix. Simillar content

[@iahphrodite]

Well, Hannibal is a psychologist and a good one in his profession.

[@alanlee1355]

Imagine not being able to contact with anybody?

[@sparklyspangle]

​@@alanlee1355 watch riverdale ahahahahaha

[@kmitchell8323]

also the butterfly/moth in eastern theological areas such as Buddhism is viewed as a cold creature because unlike many creatures it never meets it's mother, nor has reliance or a symbiotic relationship with any other creatures. This is very telling when you look at the character of Bill.

[@atifjameel5996]

The Funny Viking Girl you are soooo awsome 👍

[@alexandrebeaudry8377]

This is mirror by Clarys life, her mother left when she was too young to remember. When she kill Buffalo Bill we see a "twisting poster" switching from one side on which there is one buttefly and the other side where there is two butterflys. To me, this is suggesting that she also transform after this scene where she goes willing in a dark place where she was blind.

[@lastofthebrohicans4998]

@@alexandrebeaudry8377 exactly everyone misses the mirroring. Basic clerics if becoming a man while Bill is becoming a woman. Or at least they're trying. Mirror of the world in 2019. Harris knew what was coming.

[@wjs437]

@@alexandrebeaudry8377 there are two butterfly's on one side, one light and one dark of smaller size. The two then become one large butterfly. The unconscious becomes integrated into the consciousness of Clarice. It's symbolic of the actualisation process..

[@dewilew2137]

Ooooh good one!!

[@dallisvon]

His voice is so dead...but yet calming .

[@bvespertine]

It sucks.

[@TheBonebreakers29]

Like a madmans lulaby

[@-nCoVakaCorona]

@@bvespertine MAN FUCK U

[@911bigfatty]

But yet?

[@SebastianTorres-fz3me]

Its like Ron Swanson.

[@blairwaldorf-bass8180]

What Hannibal said about buffalo bill not being “born a killer but he became one through years of systematic abuse” I feel this is how all killers are made

[@tim30006]

Blair Waldorf-Bass Most killers

[@sxdxex]

No some people are born evil.

[@blairwaldorf-bass8180]

@@sxdxex no. They are not.

[@sxdxex]

@@blairwaldorf-bass8180 there are toddlers that display anti social behavior. Look up “psychopathy”

[@codymays9943]

s And yet, 99% of true psychopaths and sociopaths never commit any crimes at all.

[@sagnik3556]

I'm having an old friend for dinner

[@darcyliz9993]

I'm pretty sure it's not in Dorsia.😏 Wait Patrick. It's just a joke.😅 Gonna return some video tapes....

[@sebastianfairchild4733]

One of the best movie quotes ever.

[@Cellod98]

3:33 this scene always gets to me... the way he touches her finger sends chills down my spine. Anthony Hopkins is simply incredible

[@crescentmoondesigns7515]

I have something to add Hannibal is the only one who Challanges her he makes her think about her next move

[@Ken-iu2zp]

Lori J hmm....

[@rainbowkiss100]

great video. however I don't feel Lecteur cares about Clarice to want to hear about her past. I feel he more enjoys feeding off people's negativity. it's why he worked with damaged people. it's why he symbolically "feeds' off people. people in their mental and physical forms are his sustenance

[@kencabinson9720]

rainbowkid100 hmmm. Interesting

[@ParanormalGuitarChannel]

I completely agree with you. In fact, not only Hannibal Lecter is a cannibal who literally eats human flesh, but he also is a mental cannibal by feeding off human's mental state. He loves to manipulate and toy with people. However, on the contrary to Red Dragon, in which Lecter himself almost kills Will Graham or sends the Tooth Fairy to slay him and his family, he is the opposite in The Silence of the Lambs. He seems to be more of a protagonist of the story by helping Clarice to find Buffalo Bill and save Catherine Martin. Also, he does not want to damage her physically. Lecter is rather being enchanted by Clarice's strong personality. Cheers!

[@CynicalBastard]

You guys are missing the Monarch butterflies at the end, or...just making Hannibal Lector the main antagonist? Bill is the antagonist. Just as Clarice gets brushed, on her finger, by Lector, Jack Crawford also has an implicit camera zoom on them *exchanging* a handshake, a very slight one- obviously, with the talk (listened in on by Chilton) where Lector explains Bill's psychological conditioning. There is an obvious underlying theme here.

[@chriscameron9321]

They kind, love to feed of the weak.

[@cinnamongirl5410]

yep.. a narcissist-psychopath

[@taramathews7391]

Female characters are hard for people, (men usually) to create right in cinema. Seems like we're either the Nag, Wussy waif, Butch bitch, or the Situation affirmation for male characters to let them know their hilarious crazy adventure is bad and they shouldn't do it. So when they make a character like Clarice that i can not only identify with but like its rare.

[@miloblackmetalhate]

Thank you, Raven. Thank you.

[@taramathews7391]

Milind Tripathi Oh? Well your welcome I suppose. I'm not sure what for. It's just true. If we're not one of those types then they go overboard the other way, afraid to do anything that they think woman will find offensive making it so sometime we have no vulnerability or weaknesses. I dont know it's just an area Hollywood has some issues.

[@nancycampbellgibson2634]

RoLorenz Not until you do.

[@jpalpharo4304]

Raven Black good characters are hard to make

[@danmorgan9519]

The best way to make a female character is to make a good character then make it a female. Leave deciding the characters gender until you finish the character

[@GentsAndGameshub]

it put the lotion on its skin or it gets the hose again

[@SaraH-jn5db]

FUCK that line

[@certifiedretard7397]

It puts the lotion in the basket, it does this whenever it’s told

[@bienvictor7273]

IT PUFFFTTSS THHEE LOWTIION IN THE BASKET!!!

[@tamzidrahman2673]

Wrong all of you are wrong “it RUBS the lotion on it’s skin it it gets the hose again”

[@IgnorancEnArrogance]

Friends at school would say this like a joke in school, and I never knew what they meant till I saw this movie years later.....

[@natalieps2387]

I love this movie have since i first saw it probably way too young i was 10. It was really scary then. As i got older i appreciated ots brilliance and probably the most interesting non couple hannibal and clarice who had a mutual respect for eachother. She knows hes a monster but still understands and isnt afraid of him. Like she says when he escapes he wont come for me hed consider that rude. He respects her as shes brilliant and worked hard under terrible circumstances and hes brilliant enough from a short first meeting to u derstand what she wants most advancement so he wants to help her get that all the while plotting his escape . U never felt he was using her to do this. Very good insight about hannibal.a monster yet is the most direct snd human in the film specifically towards clarice as a man . Brilliant

[@UnKnown-ex4be]

"I ate his liver with some fave beans and a nice chianti"

[@yurisucupira]

Even though the moth symbolizes the transformation that Bill wants to go through, the actual transformation through the movie is experienced by Clarice.

[@2410jrod]

I always wondered about the relationship between her and Hannibal. Cause she did tell him about herself that probably she hasn't told many people if any. Hannibal at first looked at her as a toy to play with cause that's what he likes doing, but he is affectionate to her to a degree. I always wondered about that. Thanks for the video I loved the analysis.

[@mbear1639]

This is very well-done. Nice analysis of the deeper meanings in this modern classic.

[@not8719]

You should do a "What Pink Floyd's The Wall" meant.

[@WhatitallMeant]

I'm terrified of a copy right claim, but definitely want to.

[@ricemaze]

Isn't it so that with the right claim of use for educational/artistic purpose, fractions of music as well as moving images are allowed as well? There was a quite popular decision of the supreme court in Germany about it a while ago. Since the US are quite ahead sometime, wouldn't labelling it as that make such a great video idea possible?

[@ramona.vargas7298]

hell yea

[@markiemasucci3865]

this is the greatest suggestion i have ever seen in my life

[@mattgilbert7347]

I lived that film. Father fought in the same battle in WW2. I was in a rock band. Got into drugs. Had terrible relationship. Mother problems. Withdrew from all & sundry. Flirted with "the dark side". Thankfully, the wall came down and I'm doing just fine now :).

[@adagiobreeze8493]

I always took this movie as the struggle to stay empowered, Women who refuse to be victims

[@mikecee6085]

Mariano Felan yeah, but then there's the naive daughter that gets kidnapped... Women have a tendency to put themselves in situations like that more than men.

[@blossomconnect283]

@@mikecee6085 white women

[@baekwonthechef5254]

@@mikecee6085 "put themselves in situations" lol, the jokes really do write themselves sometimes.

[@RAAAAHHHwithlove]

I sense.....snowflake

[@therebel4332]

No you didn't, not until they started pushing identity politics in the mid to late 90s at least anyway. It was just a movie, its people like the OP in his video that over-analyse absolutely everything.

[@WhatitallMeant]

Have a great Thanksgiving everyone! I really need to post more often. Sorry it took so long to get a new video out to you guys.

[@Andrea30756]

Your voice is so soothing ☺️

[@thegoblininja3568]

Great video, can u upload one about apocalypse now?

[@W45P.]

Love listening to your work. hope you keep it going.

[@haleylandry7791]

Hey thanks for this vid man, silence of the lambs has always been one of my favorite movies and i love seeing it analyzed like this, awesome job!

[@bostonodonohue]

You didn't address the most important aspect of all - The Silence of the Lambs. Clarice's victory in tracking down and defeating Buffalo Bill caused the silence of the lambs in her nightmares, however temporary. At the point in the film where she received an award for her accomplishment, Hannibal had become a forgotten plot. But then the phone rang, and it was him. Hannibal knew that he had given her a victory, not over Buffalo Bill, but of the screaming of the lambs. And he also knew, that his phone call would summon back the screaming of the lambs because she had given him that power to do so. The lambs 'had' stopped screaming, after defeating Buffalo Bill. But Hannibals phonecall ended that silence, and the screaming of the lambs would continue there after. --

[@charlame.]

A "Taxi Driver," what it all meant, would be cool! Love your uploads, it gives me incite on new films to watch, or learning about things I miss out on the film! None the less, you're amazing. Thanks for existing!

[@taz5793]

1:16 - The men in the movie ARE being misogynistic. What you described is misogyny.

[@WhirlingMusic]

How can it be misogyny if they all most likely have wives at home whom they love? Lol

[@emsavings]

Very coherent and great flow. I've enjoyed all your vids, but they're getting better and better.

[@rixxivin1369]

i've been waiting for this !!!! Loved the meaning

[@megandismuke5124]

Was thrilled to see a video from you. And on one of my favorite films no less! Love what you do and keep up the great work. Happy Thanksgiving to you. :)

[@aabramovitz]

Yes! You're back! 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻❤️❤️❤️

[@MrsDannunzio]

I love, love, love your commentary on film! Please know how unique and different, valuable and valued, intelligent and insightful it is. Thank you, thank you, thank you. :-) I hope that you're creatively fulfilled since you have the soul of an artist.

[@87ashsanchez]

I love this movie, and after watching this video I have an even great respect for it, thanks to you. This was great.

[@adambarbour5862]

I love your voice and your analysis. Great job, I’m subbing.

[@primary2630]

I was never sure about this movie. I never understood the motives behind Clarice (other than the sense to do good) or the idea's behind Hannibal (to manipulate anyone to achieve what they want; bad). Perhaps it's only me, but I could never see any sense or reasoning behind Hannibal and any scene or moment where someone directly answered him or left him with anything but doubt was playing into his psychopathic persona. When he taunts Clarice to grab the case file and fondles her hand with his finger, she did exactly what he wanted her to. When he says, she if did that to stop the 'lambs screaming in the night' and she says "I don't know" and he responds, "thank you, Clarice" she has once again played her role in his manipulations. The only way you can beat a psychopath like Hannibal is to leave him confused. If he cannot understand you and you do no indulge him, he will only lose. And he will live that loss. And it's nothing better than he deserves. He will die with that in his mind; never knowing. The purest victory you can achieve over him. I really enjoy your breakdowns of these movies.

[@anyeye4853]

"it rubs the lotion on its skin"

[@thuy__]

YES! My favorite movie! great work as usual! XD

[@sign543]

Excellent video essay. I agree with everything you said, I think. I love this kind of film analysis.

[@cartermckinnon3625]

Love these videos, keep them coming!!

[@naly202]

I'm not a fan of horror and thriller movies, but I do love Sir Anthony Hopkins and especially this movie. One of my favourite movies of all time. It's virtually perfect in every way. There's very little violence and blood, still the atmosphere is incredibly tense. Ominous... The cast is brilliant, the pace, the script, but my all times favourite are the amazing dialogues between Dr Lecter and Clarice.

[@bobpolo2964]

It would be condescending to say this is an improvement, as if you need my validation, but this was a very effective video essay. I particularly liked your choice to make it an individual character study, opposed to just an in general film analysis. The pacing was impeccable, combined with intellectual, yet accessible terms for the viewer. (linguistic studies is a hobby of mine) I like the face reveal intro. Makes your work more personal and inviting. May I suggest using external film references, for the purpose of elucidating themes in a more broad sense. Like, referencing fincher's Seven or Zodiac, and how each film uses psychological profiling to catch their respective killers. Maybe quote some of your source material from essays or articles you may have read. Gives the work more weight and credibility. Structure was pretty tight though. I liked this essay a lot. I look forward to your next one

[@jakegetscake4672]

I know it's a pretty basic understanding to get But you should do "requiem for a dream".

[@adriannadavis4095]

jakegetscake I'm scared to watch that movie it seems really messed up.

[@jakegetscake4672]

Adrianna Davis it’s a great movie. You should def watch it’s not scary. The ending had a messed up scene but nothing like scare jumpy

[@MissTique247]

Awesome film! One of my all time faves. And I have lived part of that film. I thank God I never got that far down that road, and am 8+ years clean... but... wow..that movie was so real to me...

[@gracioust976]

This is quality content, you deserve more subscribers!

[@smugraisins]

As a non-native english speaker I sometimes find it quite difficult to recognize some words, because you don't have that perfect "american youtube" pronunciation, but your voice, constructing of phrases and a talent to uncover ideas beneath movies, that I've found to be curious or appealing for the reasons I couldn't capture myself, this is very moving and gives my brain that fog like grey toe-electrifying feeling that is very hard to find. Thank you.

[@joonjonj3w]

Learn the language 😂

[@joshmartin4914]

Another great analysis man, good job!

[@DonaldSimsProduction]

Very interesting and thoughtful. Thank you for sharing.

[@LordSandwich97]

Wow, great video! Thanks for uploading!

[@lordfarquaad8267]

This is an amazing analysis. I'm impressed.

[@SaraStar7373]

Too soon to ask for nocturnal animals? I've seen it twice now and I'm a little obsessed. If you're on the fence about seeing it I'd highly recommend it; seems like the kind of intelligent film that would fit in to this channel really well

[@WhatitallMeant]

I still need to see it and Arrival.

[@lordfarquaad8267]

I'm going to second Nocturnal Animals.

[@RisingUnderdog]

Great movie!

[@Northychen]

First time I saw one of your videos already a fan of your work

[@Take2Channel]

Great video! I'd love to see a video on "It's Such a Beautiful Day", plenty to analyse in many ways there!

[@lewisclarke4767]

Awesome vid man, keep it up !

[@babscabs1987]

Another hit. Well done.

[@guttamanekilla9885]

Full Metal Jacket, Eyes Wide Shut, Spartacus, or Citizen Kane would be a great addition.

[@guttamanekilla9885]

I definitely agree.

[@xObscureMars]

Eyes wide shut is hardly worth watching

[@jshort7048]

Eyes wide shut is about truly letting go. Of one's butthole

[@gusgoof358]

Above the Law with Steven Seagal

[@MIDISLAPPER]

Love your stuff!

[@MrBeastknows]

Wow, I love your videos! You should consider doing a video on that one critically acclaimed movie that was really good! I would really appreciate it!

[@42ndsubject49]

*"WHERE'S THE LAMB SAUCE!!!"*

[@thatgomacgirl7950]

one of my favourite movies ever! So amazing!

[@GentBajra]

this is amazing. thank you!

[@nunurbusinez8644]

I know this may seem trivial but thank you for addressing the movie by its correct name. Attention to detail, like those used in your astute psychological assessments, matter. ♥️

[@hayleyluxton2046]

Yeah this went riiiight over my head. All i get from this movie is that while seeking 'evil' you befriend the evil. Or something to do with focusing too much on one thing will lead to consequences in other areas.

[@RenetViva]

Very interesting, one of my favorite books!

[@mankymankyandy]

I really enjoy your videos and I'm glad I came across this channel. As an aside, have you ever watched Terry Gilliam's Brazil? I think it would be interesting to hear your insights on that film.

[@Jimmyfly215]

well put. this is one of the more intelligent movies I think we ever came across. it is timeless too.

[@ColinZiemer1]

Love this channel

[@jmg2183]

Great analysis. thanks

[@laurenjohnson9627]

Great video! I love your channel! I would suggest "what it all meant Requiem For A Dream"

[@TheBriBoat]

I second that!

[@thexneo]

drugs are bad

[@miloblackmetalhate]

precisely why it needs to be covered. It is quite OBVIOUSLY not a movie about drugs. drugs are incidental, as Lecter would say.

[@michaeluhlir9667]

Wesley Snipes well... that's like.. your opinion man

[@paulallen2874]

I look similar to the main character....except I have a slightly better hairstyle

[@Cavs032]

I was hoping to get something more from this video but it just explains the moth and transformation symbolism which is already explained in the video.

[@thomassnyder3265]

Another wonderful video, this is probably one of my favorite channels. Please do keep up the fantastic work, I look forward to seeing what comes next! Also, have you considered doing something along the lines of Dexter? or another television series?

[@WhatitallMeant]

I wish I could go outside of film more often, it just always seems to be viewed far less.

[@thomassnyder3265]

What it all Meant that's fair enough, still great work on all your videos, I never leave dissatisfied :)

[@chrisdeleon9824]

I like your breakdown, *subscribed*

[@ShlisaShell]

Thank you so much.

[@healthymix5742]

Wow, you have amazing videos!

[@JerichoTheCity]

Just watched, it's fantastic

[@michaelmauder]

Hey Ethan, I really love your videos. Just one thing I noticed: I don't know if you have any kind of budget, but if you have try to get a proper microphone, that can boost the bass in your voice. That would increase the quality of your narration, and therefore the quality of your videos, instantly. Keep up the good work!

[@Kispalkovich]

editing videos is the new chique thing now?

[@yuriimai7293]

I like watching your videos when I'm studying or about to go to sleep 😂

[@ASmith071]

I really love watching your film analyses. Do you think you would ever do one for Inception? I'd love to hear your take!

[@PhantasmaAdoria]

Well done!!🙏

[@thegoblininja3568]

Amazing explanation for one of the most deep and interesting movies ever made. Please do Apocalypse Now meanning. It will be realy interesting one for sure, consider you analize such deep movies so nice.

[@antonellacampos3023]

Can you do one for the imitation game? I love you analysis on these things and I think it would be a good movie

[@kk12181]

Antonella Campos, Imitation game as I understand it.... 1) It's not person's beliefs we need to take. It's his/her contribution. Though Turing is a gay his work saved millions of lives. (Being gay is illegal those days in that country) 2) Most of the great achievers think in a different style than usual crowd. Thats why many of the times achievers aren't liked by co-workers. They face lot of criticism from co-workers, at least initially and till they achieve something and prove to world. When they prove things would change.

[@daytonasayswhat9333]

Excellent.

[@colombi1anjay]

Ethan - I'd really appreciate your insight and analysis on "The Babadook". Seems like it would really fit the caliber of your work.

[@theskoolmustard00]

Lean Doughnut ^^^^^^ *THIS*

[@yb32]

I didn't get how the silence of the lambs symbolize clarice's lack of need for change/holding back? Can you elaborate on that?

[@sagan1976]

I believe that"lack"is not the right way to put it, since it gives the idea that she needs it but is hampered for not having. I think that although she adapts to her surroundings, she does not need to mold herself to fit in. Well, we all do and sometimes thinking that we don't need to creates unnecessary frictions. Going through life is about molding, as well as learning and leave a mark. But seeking change is not what Clarice is looking. Probably i'd say peace from her ghosts is what she looks for.

[@miloblackmetalhate]

This is why Lecter thanks her. He realises that she is already one step away from having "become" herself, whereas he can't quite become anything. Which is why he eats people he kills. She reintroduces him to the idea of a "self", whereas he had already lost faith in the concept of "Self" or "Personality" if you will, and treats all humans as so. I can kinda relate to him that way.

[@chance4393]

the movie title is just simply Clarice seizing to hear the lambs screams anymore. Since her motive was to rid the screams she heard at night, once she killed buffalo bill the lambs were silenced.

[@gtbtone]

You should do an analysis on the Deer Hunter. That movie is hands down one of the heaviest movies I have ever seen.

[@350125GOW]

Fuck it............................................Fuck who?!?

[@movie-comician8365]

awesome details 👏🍸

[@RockySamson]

I would absolutely love to hear your thoughts on Reservoir Dogs or Falling Down, which I feel are both highly underappreciated analytically speaking.

[@tonyedwards3938]

Great assessment imo.

[@Ligerpride]

Such a great film.

[@darthsideous4478]

I love this movie one of my favourites

[@dasbestgirlever]

are we talking movie or including book and the whole series as a whole. there is so much more to this beautiful love story. ♡♡♡

[@jillianross48]

Please continue making videos.

[@gangstaberry2496]

Impressive! Subscribed!

[@liamdallimore5694]

PLEASE upload a 'What Whiplash all meant" ☺👍

[@iPyroNigma]

In my opinion Whiplash is all about personal desire and internal intentions. Taking part in activities looking for success because of external pressure often leads to failure until we find our own motivation.

[@VigilanteVegan]

It’s not his tempo.

[@soumyasishbhattacharyya2805]

One of the greatest movies I have ever seen.

[@Spi00videos]

Man .. .i love your videos ... consider doing a video about trainspotting

[@WhatitallMeant]

It's on my list.

[@MatimoreAgain]

immaginarium doctor pragnasas

[@richier5746]

Best channel, Best movie :) do you write screenplays?

[@Jake-ot8je]

Really enjoy this series :)

[@joanbaczek2575]

The moth symbolizes his alienation never being loved as a child, that moth is a lone creature

[@itzzzbash880]

best critic ever

[@drivenhome7840]

Eisenstein says life will treat you depending on if you find it friendly or unfriendly. Designing a life that is self supportive, is kind, yet for many unattainable and unfriendly. Therefore, the obstacles we find in life are designed by our own mind. Be careful what you want Be more careful of what you think

[@markiemasucci3865]

i'd love to see you do mulholland drive!

[@Diotoir]

You should do a video on the meaning behind Lost Highway

[@shockthemaven8408]

Do Eyes wide Shut?

[@ettawing5955]

03:30 I tell you. You tell me. MKS said I like everybody. Everybody is my friend.

[@AsianShadowrunner]

Ah, the irony, of what is to come of the future for Clarice Starling. I'm not talking about in the movies but in the books. I read "Hannibal" years ago and while I do not want to spoil the ending, it's a strange turn for Clarice Starling and Hannibal Lector that I sort of saw in hints to Silence of the Lambs but didn't think it could have been pulled off - even to the last page.