Hannibal Lecter, also known as Hannibal the Cannibal, became a legend despite being a fictional character. Hannibal Lecter was created from Thomas Harris’ brilliant imagination for the famous film “The Silence of the Lambs,” and his character was based on the real-life serial killer. The documentary Real Life Hannibal Lecters chronicles the lives and crimes of the countless serial killers who inspired the creation of Lecter’s characters.
In fact, ninety percent of serial killers are white. They tend to come from lower-middle-class backgrounds, and intelligence is often a common trait, although they struggled to concentrate in school as children. Traumatic childhood is also a recurring factor, and in many cases serial killers suffer physical, sexual or psychological abuse. Families are sometimes unstable due to criminal histories, mental illness, alcoholism, and abuse.
Because of these unfortunate circumstances, these men (and sometimes women) are isolated or shunned by society. This leads to dangerous, unhealthy, and even animal cruelty, which is often a well-known topic among serial killers. They are unable or unwilling to let go of the past and things that have affected them so much. While many can move on, these individuals cannot or refuse to do so.
They crave attention and want to feel important and special to others. Serial killers believe that the only way to satisfy these needs is to gain dominance and control over others, which often involves murder. They often combine pain with pleasure, and killing often has a sexual component, because they enjoy the pain of others.
This documentary follows serial killers Albert Fish, Jeffrey Dahmer, Ted Bundy, Andre Chikatilo and John Wayne Gacy. These individuals all bear at least one serial killer likeness, and many of them had traumatic childhoods that likely affected them growing up. Some serial killers engage in cannibalism, which is discussed at length in the documentary.
In real life, Hannibal Lecter’s professional and knowledgeable speakers research and analyze serial killers and cannibals, and discuss the various reasons why these people commit such heinous acts.
Directed by: Sean Buckley
