Dennis Schwartz Dennis Schwartz Movie Reviews Sep 22, 2023 B-

The tense crime procedural thriller has a twist in its last act that fails to do it justice.

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Wesley Lovell Cinema Sight Feb 12, 2022 3.5/4

A presumably innocent man and a justice-seeking defense lawyer delve into a complex tangle of crime and murder in Primal Fear, a sometimes grating, sometimes invigorating courtroom drama mixed with investigative police procedural.

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Kat Halstead Common Sense Media Jun 23, 2021 4/5

A tense psychological thriller rich with shadowy menace and a sense of confidence that allows the impressive cast to shine.

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Mike Massie Gone With The Twins Sep 24, 2020 7/10

It's part trial procedural but mostly the suspenseful unraveling of testimony and the realization of lies.

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Eve Tushnet Patheos Mar 13, 2019

The part of the script that's dialogue instead of plot is quite snappy. So I believed in this sordid story... for a while.

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David Nusair Reel Film Reviews May 7, 2011 3/4

...a solid drama that's elevated on an all-too-consistent basis by Norton's impressively hypnotic work.

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Emanuel Levy EmanuelLevy.Com May 1, 2011 B+

Edward Norton became an instant star after making a splashy, Oscar-nominated performance in this well-executed horror thriller.

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Peter Canavese Groucho Reviews Jun 19, 2009 3/4

An unfolding mystery in which truth is elusive, and twists are the order of the day...gives Norton a career-making opportunity to strut his stuff. [Blu-ray]

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Walter Chaw Film Freak Central Apr 1, 2009 3/4

its heroes only heroes because they believe in order and not because they're capable of order's championing or restoration.

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Ryan Cracknell Movie Views Mar 26, 2009

Helped greatly by excellent performances from both of the film's leads, as well as the rounded supporting cast.

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John J. Puccio Movie Metropolis Mar 5, 2009 7/10

The plot is engaging, the cast is exceptional, and Hoblit moves things along in commendably straightforward fashion. Very entertaining.

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Brian Webster Apollo Guide Feb 25, 2009 75/100

Exhibits many of the genre's common weaknesses, but the fine acting of Edward Norton, Laura Linney and Richard Gere enables us to forgive them.

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Gabe Leibowitz Film and Felt Dec 29, 2007 40/100

Unfortunately, Primal Fear hasn't aged well; there are wrinkles and pockmarks all over its face.

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Neil Cohen Echo Magazine Jul 29, 2007 4/5

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Susan Granger www.susangranger.com Oct 27, 2006 2/5

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Boyd van Hoeij european-films.net Jun 10, 2006 3/5

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Cole Smithey ColeSmithey.com Jan 25, 2006 4/5

Ed Norton is out of this world in his break-out performance.

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Chuck O'Leary Fantastica Daily Oct 9, 2005 2/5

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Dan Jardine Apollo Guide Jul 21, 2005 3/5

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Nell Minow Movie Mom Jun 28, 2005 3/5

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