Ted Levine Says Parts of The Silence of the Lambs “Don’t Hold Up” 35 Years Later

Thirty-five years after its release, The Silence of the Lambs remains one of Hollywood’s most celebrated thrillers. But as the Oscar-winning film marks its anniversary, some of the people behind it are reflecting on criticism from the transgender community and the movie’s complicated cultural legacy.

Released on Feb. 14, 1991, the psychological thriller was directed by Jonathan Demme and based on Thomas Harris’ bestselling novel. The film stars Jodie Foster as FBI trainee Clarice Starling, who seeks help from imprisoned serial killer Hannibal Lecter, played by Anthony Hopkins, to track down murderer Buffalo Bill.

Ted Levine portrayed Buffalo Bill, also known as Jame Gumb — a role that would define his career.

Ted Levine Addresses Transgender Backlash

Over the years, critics have argued that Buffalo Bill’s portrayal reinforced harmful stereotypes about transgender people. Although the character’s sexual orientation and gender identity are not explicitly defined in the film, some viewers interpreted the depiction as gender nonconforming and harmful.

In a recent interview, Levine acknowledged that parts of the film “don’t hold up too well.”

“We all know more now,” he said, explaining that he has since worked with transgender individuals and gained a better understanding of gender identity. “There are some lines in that script and movie that are unfortunate.”

Levine added that while making the film in 1991, he did not see the character as gay or transgender. “I think he was just a deeply disturbed heterosexual man,” he said. Still, he admitted that the film “vilified that, and it’s wrong.”

The actor — who later appeared in films like Heat and The Fast and the Furious and the TV series Monk — said the experience helped him grow in understanding over time.

From Risky Thriller to Oscar History

At the time of its release, The Silence of the Lambs was not expected to dominate awards season. Distributed by Orion Pictures, the film became a box office hit, earning $272 million worldwide.

It went on to make history at the Academy Awards. The film became just the third movie ever to win the “Big Five” Oscars: Best Picture, Best Director, Best Actor, Best Actress and Best Screenplay. It is still widely regarded as the only horror film to win Best Picture.

According to producer Edward Saxon, the team did not expect the movie to be seen as prestige cinema. “We thought we made an entertaining film,” he said. “We had zero idea we would be going to award shows.”

The film also became a major part of pop culture. Lines like “It rubs the lotion on its skin” are still quoted today, and the American Film Institute named Hannibal Lecter one of the greatest movie villains of all time.

A Legacy Reexamined

Saxon, who later worked with Demme on the Oscar-winning film Philadelphia, said the creative team did not intend harm but admits they may not have fully understood the impact of certain portrayals.

“We were loyal to the book,” he explained. “But we weren’t sensitive enough to the legacy of stereotypes and their ability to harm.”

Despite the controversy, Levine says he remembers the experience positively and praised Demme, who died in 2017. “Jonathan was a wonderful man,” he said. “It was probably the best experience I ever had on a film.”

Why the Film Still Matters

More than three decades later, The Silence of the Lambs remains a defining film of the 1990s. Its performances, direction and suspense continue to influence filmmakers and audiences alike. At the same time, changing social awareness has led to renewed conversations about representation in media.

As Hollywood revisits older classics through a modern lens, The Silence of the Lambs stands as both a landmark achievement and a reminder of how storytelling evolves with society.