Hollyweird Apologizes for Silence of the Lambs Portrayal

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The 1991 thriller Silence of the Lambs, which won five major Oscars, is now being criticized by the entertainment industry for its portrayal of the transgender serial killer character Buffalo Bill. Actor Ted Levine, who played Buffalo Bill, has expressed regret over the character's depiction, stating it was "unfortunate that the film vilified that, and it's f*cking wrong." The industry now views the characterization as gender nonconforming and identifying as trans, despite the character's sexual orientation not being explicitly stated in the film.

Why it matters

This reflects a broader shift in Hollywood's attitudes towards LGBTQ+ representation, with the industry now seeking to be more mindful of how marginalized groups are portrayed on screen. The apology highlights the evolving standards of what is considered acceptable or problematic in classic films, as societal views on gender identity and expression continue to progress.

The details

Silence of the Lambs was a major critical and commercial success when it was released in 1991, winning five Academy Awards including Best Picture. However, the character of Buffalo Bill, a transgender serial killer who skins women to wear their skin, is now being viewed as an offensive and harmful representation of the transgender community. Actor Ted Levine, who portrayed Buffalo Bill, has expressed regret over the character's depiction, stating that over time and through working with transgender individuals, he has gained a "fuller understanding of the trans experience" and now sees the film's portrayal as "unfortunate" and "f*cking wrong."

• Silence of the Lambs was released 35 years ago this month, in February 1991.
• The film became the fifth-highest-grossing title of 1991, collecting $272 million globally ($659 million today).

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