Hannibal Rising (2007)

In 1944, Hannibal Lecter is a young boy living in Lithuania during the brutal chaos of World War II. After the Nazi invasion, Hannibal and his sister Mischa face unspeakable horrors that lead to Mischa’s death. Years later, Hannibal escapes to Paris to live with his widowed aunt, Lady Murasaki, who introduces him to the art of Japanese martial arts. As Hannibal matures, he seeks revenge against those responsible for his sister’s death, leading him down a dark path of vengeance and transformation into the infamous cannibalistic serial killer. His journey of revenge stretches from the snowy forests of Lithuania to the streets of Paris and beyond, marking the rise of one of cinema’s most chilling villains.

Length: 2h 1m
Genre: Horror, Action, Crime
This Title is: Dark, Thrilling, and a Deep Exploration into a Villain’s Origin

Cast

Gaspard Ulliel, Aaran Thomas, Gong Li, Dominic West, Rhys Ifans

Parental Guidance

Maturity Rating: R – Contains scenes of violence and mature themes related to war and revenge.

Trivia

• The character of Hannibal Lecter was portrayed by Gaspard Ulliel and Aaran Thomas, depicting his evolution from a young boy to the notorious serial killer.
• The film is a prequel to the Hannibal Lecter series, providing a backstory to the character’s complex psychology and his descent into cannibalism.
• Thomas Harris, the author of the Hannibal Lecter novels, wrote both the novel and the screenplay for Hannibal Rising.

Trailer

Our Review

• Quality:
• Acting:
• Storyline:
• Visuals:
• Entertainment:

Hannibal Rising offers a detailed glimpse into the early life of one of fiction’s most notorious villains. While the film delivers on the promise of exploring Hannibal Lecter’s origins, its attempt to elicit sympathy for a character known for his heinous crimes has met with mixed reactions. The performance of Gaspard Ulliel as the young Lecter is notably praised, capturing the character’s complexity and inner turmoil. However, the storyline sometimes struggles to balance its dark themes with the character development, leaving audiences divided. Despite its flaws, the film succeeds in adding depth to the Hannibal Lecter saga, making it a must-watch for fans of the series.