The Silence of the Lambs (1990) is a psychological thriller that burrows deep under your skin. Directed by Jonathan Demme and featuring chilling performances from Jodie Foster and Anthony Hopkins, the film introduced audiences to FBI trainee Clarice Starling and the brilliant, monstrous Dr. Hannibal Lecter.
From creepy moths to unforgettable dinner dialogue, how much do you remember about this genre-defining masterpiece? Take this 10-question trivia quiz — but be careful… the lambs are still screaming.
The Silence of the Lambs Trivia Questions & Answers
Here are the correct answers to our The Silence of the Lambs quiz — with chilling context and analysis that highlight why this film continues to haunt, fascinate, and impress decades after its release.
1) Who directed The Silence of the Lambs (1990)?
Correct Answer: Jonathan Demme
Jonathan Demme expertly directed this psychological thriller, balancing intimate character focus with disturbing tension. His use of direct eye-line camera shots — especially in conversations between Clarice and Lecter — draws the viewer uncomfortably into the characters’ minds.
2) Which actress plays Clarice Starling?
Correct Answer: Jodie Foster
Jodie Foster won the Academy Award for Best Actress for her performance as Clarice Starling — a young, determined FBI trainee navigating not just a case, but a world of male authority figures and psychological predators. Her portrayal is both vulnerable and fiercely intelligent.
3) What is the nickname of the serial killer Clarice is trying to catch?
Correct Answer: Buffalo Bill
Buffalo Bill, whose real name is Jame Gumb, is the serial killer Clarice is tasked with profiling and catching. His modus operandi — skinning his victims — shocks even the hardened agents around Clarice, but Lecter offers insight into his pathology.
4) What is the profession of Dr. Hannibal Lecter?
Correct Answer: Psychiatrist
Before being incarcerated for cannibalism and multiple murders, Hannibal Lecter was a brilliant psychiatrist. His deep psychological insight allows him to manipulate those around him — and form a disturbingly effective connection with Clarice.
5) Why is Buffalo Bill killing women?
Correct Answer: To make a suit from their skin
Buffalo Bill murders and skins women to create a “woman suit” — believing that transformation through skin will bring him identity and completeness. The film explores this disturbing motivation with nuance and discomfort, without resorting to simple shock value.
6) What item does Lecter ask Clarice about from her childhood?
Correct Answer: The lambs
The “silence of the lambs” refers to a traumatic childhood memory Clarice confides in Lecter: hearing lambs screaming as they were slaughtered on a farm. This metaphor becomes a symbol of Clarice’s need to save the innocent — and her hope to find silence by solving this case.
7) What insect is found in the throat of one of Buffalo Bill’s victims?
Correct Answer: Death’s-head hawkmoth
This rare moth becomes a chilling calling card. Found in the victims’ throats, it symbolizes transformation — just like the killer’s obsession. It also provides a critical forensic clue that leads Clarice to the killer’s lair.
8) What famous line does Hannibal Lecter say to Clarice?
Correct Answer: “I ate his liver with some fava beans and a nice Chianti.”
This line, delivered with eerie calm by Anthony Hopkins, has become one of the most quoted lines in movie history. Lecter is both refined and terrifying — his elegance makes his violence even more disturbing.
9) Where does the final confrontation between Clarice and Buffalo Bill take place?
Correct Answer: In his basement
Clarice tracks down Buffalo Bill to a seemingly ordinary home — and ends up alone in a dark, maze-like basement filled with horrors. The tension builds to near-unbearable levels as she stumbles blindly in the dark while Bill stalks her through night vision.
10) What is the final line of the film?
Correct Answer: “I’m having an old friend for dinner.”
Spoken by Lecter over the phone, this haunting final line is both a clever pun and a chilling farewell. He is referring to Dr. Chilton, the cruel psychiatrist who mistreated him — and whom Lecter plans to eat next. The line is delivered with quiet menace as Lecter disappears into a crowd.
The Silence of the Lambs isn’t just a thriller — it’s a psychological chess game, a masterclass in pacing, and a rare horror film that swept the Oscars. If you scored high, you’ve earned your badge, Agent Starling. Just… don’t forget to lock the cell behind you.
