The ongoing debate regarding Silence of the Lambs took an interesting turn this week as two members of its creative team voiced their regrets about the depiction of Buffalo Bill, which has drawn criticism from some LGBTQ activists for being transphobic.
This past weekend marked the 35th anniversary of Silence of the Lambs, yet the celebration was shadowed by discussions about its impact on transgender issues. In a recent conversation with the Hollywood Reporter, actor Ted Levine, who portrayed Buffalo Bill, noted that certain elements of the film haven’t aged well.
“Some aspects of this movie just don’t hold up well,” Levine remarked. “We’re all aware of transgender issues today, and I’ve definitely learned more since then. There are lines in that script that are disappointing.”
Levine further reflected on his changing perspective, noting that while he didn’t see anything wrong with the script at the time, he now feels he has a deeper understanding of the transgender experience. “Over the years, having interacted with transgender individuals, I’ve come to grasp the complexities of gender identity. It’s unfortunate that the film, in some ways, trivialized this.” He expressed willingness for anyone to quote his thoughts.
He added, “I didn’t interpret the character as gay or transgender; I saw him as an extreme example of a straight man.”
At the film’s release, LGBTQ activists criticized its portrayal of Buffalo Bill. Critics often overlook that Hannibal Lecter clarifies that Bill isn’t truly transsexual but believes he is, and Clarice Starling, played by Jodie Foster, mentioned that his behavior doesn’t align with that of a genuine transsexual.
Still, the film’s producer, Edward Saxon, revealed his regrets regarding the character. “We remained quite faithful to the book. At the time we were making the film, there was a clear consensus that Buffalo Bill was an abnormal character—not gay or transgender—but disturbed. In hindsight, we failed to be sensitive to how certain stereotypes can perpetuate harm,” he explained.
Saxon continued, “I regret this, but there was no ill intent behind it. It stemmed from my connection with people in the LGBTQ community. I thought it was evident that Buffalo Bill was borrowing from societal influences but was fundamentally troubled.”
