Primal Fear (1996) is an arresting legal thriller starring Richard Gere as Martin Vail, a preeminent Chicago defense attorney celebrated for earning multifarious acquittals for his clients. Notably arrogant and self-aggrandizing, Vail becomes embroiled in the legal defense for altar boy Aaron Stampler (Edward Norton) accused of murdering Archbishop Rushman, head of Chicago's Catholic diocese.
In the wake of Stampler's apprehension, Vail meets with the meek, stuttering youth and offers his defense services pro bono, convinced of Stampler's innocence. As the case unfolds and evidence involving shady real estate investments alongside sordid sexual activities are unveiled—Aaron reveals a volatile alternate personality named Roy who openly confesses to the Archbishop's murder. Stunned and unable to register an insanity plea after the trial has begun, Vail enters into a complex web of chicanery with prosecutor Janet Venable (Laura Linney) in an attempt to liberate his dangerously disturbed protégé.
Based on the novel by William Diehl and directed by Gregory Hoblit (Frequency, Fracture), Primal Fear is a complex, morally ambiguous tale of deception and legal entanglement. Gere and Linney are both rock solid in their roles as fervent legal professionals, yet it is Norton (in his feature film debut) who absolutely steals the show—delivering a jaw-dropping dual performance as both Aaron and Roy. His late-game revelations will leave you reeling with astonishment while compelled to revisit the entire viewing experience with newfound realization.
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