The Silence of the Lambs is not just considered one of the best movies of the ‘90s; it's widely regarded as one of the best horror movies ever made. However, in the 35 years since the film was released, it’s also received accusations of transphobia due to the character Buffalo Bill. Now, the actor who played that character has opened up about how gender was represented in the movie, the criticism the film has faced, and his personal feelings about it all.
Overall, the film is regarded as a career-defining performance for Jodie Foster, and it's considered one of Anthony Hopkins best movies. However, when it comes to Ted Levine’s character, Buffalo Bill, the discourse surrounding him is complex. In the movie, Buffalo Bill is a serial killer who skins his female victims, and Foster’s FBI trainee Clarice Starling is trying to catch him. The characterization of Buffalo Bill has been viewed as trans or gender nonconforming (though it's not explicitly stated in the movie), and now, Levin has opened up to THR about this and the impact it's had, saying:
