The Silence Of The Lambs is one of the most iconic films of the 1990s. The story of the search for serial killer Jame "Buffalo Bill" Gumb is not for the faint of heart. The film shows audiences a lasting thriller, filled with incredibly memorable characters.
In a film filled with stern police officers and violent serial killers, fans might wonder who is the most likable character. There are several intelligent personalities in The Silence Of The Lambs, but smarts don't necessarily make them affable. Their demeanor and actions reveal some people audiences see are more pleasant than others.
Dr. Frederick Chilton
Despite the multiple cold-blooded killers in The Silence Of The Lambs, Dr. Frederick Chilton is the least likable character in the film. Chilton runs the Baltimore State Hospital for the Criminally Insane where Hannibal Lecter is imprisoned. Chilton shows his unpleasant character in several ways.
Chilton is pompous from his first moments on screen and condescends to both the inmates and to Clarice Starling when she comes to interview Lecter. Furthermore, his petty nature comes out in other ways. He surreptitiously records Starling's conversation with Lecter to prove his superiority. In doing so, he points out Lecter's failure to identify her lie so he can offer Lecter a deal and not her. Chilton's childish self-importance is rarely hidden when he appears on screen.
Jame "Buffalo Bill" Gumb
Buffalo Bill is one of the hardest characters to like in The Silence Of The Lambs. Audiences only get short windows of time showing details from his life. As such, the development of his personality is somewhat hidden. However, fans still see several of his heinous deeds. Buffalo Bill murders and skins his victims.
His unforgettable brutality helps make The Silence Of The Lambs one of the must-see horror movies of the last 20 years. However, viewers only see his abduction and torture of Catherine Martin. Regardless, his unfeeling behavior toward the woman underscores his heartless persona. Audiences get a sense of his humanity when he tries to remove emotion in telling Martin to "put the lotion on its skin," but when he explodes in a rage of failure, he is revealed to be a cruel man.
Dr. Hannibal Lecter
It is hard to argue Hannibal Lecter isn't a memorable personality. He is such because he's a complex character. Lecter is a brutal murderer who kills and eats his victims, making some fans say he's the scariest villain in The Silence Of The Lambs. However, he is also a brilliant doctor who takes pleasure in fine art and classical music.
Lecter seems pleasant at times and shows respect to those he so chooses like Clarice Starling. However, Lecter shows his selfishness in his brutal killings of multiple people in his escape from law enforcement. Furthermore, he seems to take pleasure in manipulating others, as shown in his relationship with Clarice and the wild goose chase he leads her and Jack Crawford on throughout the film.
Jack Crawford
Crawford is Clarice's superior in the FBI. It is he who gives Clarice the assignment to talk to Hannibal Lecter, kicking off the series of events that follow throughout The Silence Of The Lambs. He is seldom seen after his introduction and before the finale, but audiences get a sense of his likability when he appears.
Crawford treats Clarice with stern respect. However, he also appears to doubt her, along with treating her differently for her gender. When discussing Buffalo Bill's crimes with police of a different jurisdiction, he tells the other officers that he'd "just as soon discuss [the sex crimes] in private." His doubt and condescension toward Starling make him less affable than some of his peers.
Senator Ruth Martin
Senator Martin is the mother of Buffalo Bill's kidnapping victim Catherine Martin. Audiences see her when Lecter claims to have information about her whereabouts but insists to tell her in person. After he is brought to her, the two speak, and Lecter toys with her emotions.
Senator Martin showcases her likability in her actions. She cares for her daughter and is prepared to do anything to get her back. She shows her bravery in meeting with Lecter face to face. Furthermore, she presents her unwillingness to be walked over when she tells law enforcement to take "this thing back to Baltimore," after Lecter insults her. Senator Martin is both caring and strong.
Catherine Martin
Catherine is the main victim in the story. Law enforcement rushes to find Buffalo Bill in an attempt to save Catherine from Buffalo Bill before it's too late. Viewers don't get to know Catherine as well as other characters like Clarice Starling. Furthermore, they mostly see her in a mode of total survival.
However, in Catherine's moments before capture, she proves to be quite affable. She is pleasant singing along to Tom Petty's "American Girl" before stopping when she sees a man struggling to move a large chair. She shows her kindness in her offer to help. However, her helpful attitude ends in tragedy when the man is revealed as Buffalo Bill and captures her.
Clarice Starling
Clarice is the protagonist in The Silence Of The Lambs and proves to be the film's most likable character. Clarice is a fighter and continues to fearlessly push for respect from her doubting FBI superiors. Her robust character helps make The Silence Of The Lambs one of director Jon Demme's best movies. Furthermore, she is dedicated to saving Catherine Martin by giving the case her full attention and risking her life by getting close to Hannibal Lecter.
Clarice's strength is shown in the finale when he goes to capture Bill. She treats nearly everyone she meets with respect, even men like Chilton, Lecter, and Crawford who look down on her. Clarice is brave, strong, and kind. As such, it's hard to say anyone else fans see in The Silence Of The Lambs is more likable.