- Hannibal is a critically acclaimed TV series that follows the story of Hannibal Lecter, a forensic psychiatrist who helps the FBI solve cases while hiding his true identity as a cannibal.
- The show, created by Bryan Fuller, is a visually stunning and darkly humorous adaptation of the Hannibal Lecter novels, blending elements from different books to create a unique narrative that pleases both hardcore fans and newcomers.
- Featuring a stellar cast led by Hugh Dancy and Mads Mikkelsen, Hannibal explores the complex and codependent relationship between Will Graham and Hannibal Lecter, culminating in a series finale that is described as sublime.
If you’re an ’80s kid, you might <a href="https://comicvibe.com/remember-the-titans-star-ethan-suplee-issues-warning-about-weight/” title=”'Remember the Titans' star Ethan Suplee issues warning about weight”>remember You Can’t Do That On Television, a quirky Canadian comedy series that aired on Nickelodeon. I was very young and mostly watching the show to see slime get dropped on helpless youngsters. Still, the title of this series compelled my childhood self to think about something I had never really considered: that network television came with a set of very specific rules. That there are, in fact, things you can’t do on television. That’s an idea that I’d become obsessed with decades later when NBC began airing the most provocative program in television history: Hannibal.
This is a series that centers on Hannibal Lecter, the most notorious fictional cannibal. In a fun twist, the character has not yet been caught by the authorities, and he hides in plain sight by helping out the FBI. We follow his bizarre double life as both Hannibal and the fellow monsters he hunts find creative new ways to torture and kill their victims. Hannibal is many things, including a jaw-dropping literary adaptation and the best horror show ever made. But it’s something else, too: the grossest, most violent show in network history, one that constantly pushed the boundaries of what you can and cannot do on television.
Of Monsters And Men
Hannibal Lecter first appeared in the Thomas Harris novel Red Dragon. There, the infamous cannibal was already in prison, having been put there by FBI investigator Will Graham. Hannibal begins as a prequel to that book, when Hannibal is a renowned forensic psychiatrist who helps the FBI with tough cases. He strikes up a surprising bond with Will, a man haunted by his uncanny ability to analyze crime scenes. Together, they make for great partners, helping to solve otherwise impossible cases. But it’s only a matter of time before Will discovers that the greatest monster he has ever known is the man he sees as his best friend.
On paper, Hannibal really shouldn’t work. It’s a series that constantly remixes franchise mythology in a way that would normally turn fans off. Plus, it’s absolutely nothing like Silence of the Lambs, the movie that made Hannibal Lecter into a household name. Nonetheless, the series was a major success: it has a 93 percent on Rotten Tomatoes, and this Emmy-nominated show impressed horror hounds enough to earn some major genre honors, including multiple Saturn Awards and Fangoria Chainsaw Awards. What’s the secret to this show’s success? Bryan Fuller, the showrunner who cut his teeth writing for Star Trek before bringing us quirky classic shows like Wonderfalls and Pushing Daisies.
A Darkly Funny Show
Fuller created Hannibal as a love letter to the entire franchise of books and TV shows. Listen closely, and you’ll hear direct quotes from novels such as Red Dragon, showcasing the showrunner’s devotion to the original text. At the same time, however, Fuller isn’t slavish in his devotion, and he isn’t afraid to mix and match things from different books to create something new. The result is the best of both worlds: Hannibal pleases hardcore fans with deep cuts and shocking surprises, all while delivering a show that is surprisingly accessible to complete newbies who have no idea what kind of wine everyone’s favorite cannibal would pair with favra beans and liver.
The writing on Hannibal is great, but you’d be forgiven if you occasionally miss what characters are saying. That’s because this is one of the most visually stunning television shows ever made, horror or otherwise. Hypnotic visuals bring to life what Will Graham sees, both when he is analyzing crime scenes and descending into madness (with a few assists from Hannibal, of course). Beautiful cinematography also makes Hannibal’s forbidden food look impossibly tasty. This is part of the show’s dark humor, of course: the dishes he whips up look like the most delicious food porn, making your mouth water until you remember he’s literally cooking and eating human beings.
Surprisingly Sexy
Few shows have a cast quite as pitch-perfect as Hannibal. Laurence Fishburne is all reserved fire as Jack Crawford, a brilliant FBI boss trying to manage both personal and professional chaos. Caroline Dhavernas is a gender-swapped Dr. Bloom, someone who perfectly balances brains and beauty. Speaking of beautifully brainy gals, X-Files star Gillian Anderson dazzles as Hannibal’s psychotherapist, someone who lives in a cage gilded by violence. Later, Anna Chlumsky pops up in a small, impossibly powerful role. And in the final season, Richard Armitage is all leather and blood, a kind of apex predator in a world where monsters hunt men for sport.
However, the best cast members are Hugh Dancy, who infuses Will Graham with a kind of dangerous vulnerability, and Mads Mikkelsen, who makes Hannibal Lecter into TV’s most charming supervillain. Each is great in their respective role; in fact, this show is, without a doubt, Mikkelsen’s finest performance as an actor. But what makes Hannibal truly unforgettable is the chemistry these characters have as they engage in a relationship unlike any ever seen on television. More than friends, less than lovers, they are codependent chaos agents destined to collide with each other. The relationship develops throughout the show, and the series finale payoff is nothing short of sublime.
Bon Appetite
Of course, you can’t get to the end if you don’t start from the beginning. If you’re ready to experience the decadent violence and culinary kills of Hannibal, you should watch this Emmy-nominated series for yourself. Each episode is more compelling than the last, and each season ends on the kind of cliffhanger that will leave you screaming at your television. To see what the fuss is about, you can now stream Hannibal on Netflix. Fair warning, though: this is not a show you want to watch while you eat.
Worried you’ll get too hungry? Don’t worry: like Hannibal, you can always have a friend for dinner afterward!
