A Hannibal blog

[acerobianco1984]

If I had to isolate a single frame that encapsulates the entire disturbing, erotic, and psychological essence of the film, it would be this one. This close-up was, for me, a Central Nervous System Reset even back then.

Jonathan Demme creates the most intimate contact possible without even touching them. We don't see their faces. All the drama is compressed into that millimeter-deep movement of Hannibal's finger as it rests on the report Clarice is about to take from him.

This is the exact moment when the "deal with the devil" is sealed forever. Clarice is reaching out to take the information Lecter is handing her (the "keys" to Buffalo Bill). But that finger resting on the papers says: "Nothing is free, Clarice."

The monster (Hopkins's fingers, large and menacing, yet smooth and "clean") touches the "victim/ally" (Clarice's hand, smaller, with a thin ring that emphasizes her humanity and, at the time, her feminine vulnerability). It's the moment when the beauty of the prey and the ferocity of the predator meet in perfect, terrifying balance.

You understand that true fear isn't the splatter, but the moment the monster places a finger on your shoulder (or on a card) and says, silently: "I saw you. And I know who you are."

Coraggiosa, Clarice. Mi farai sapere quando gli agnelli smetteranno di gridare, vero?

[fantasticlavendercrystals]

Thank you!!

[ilcantodellastarling]

[fantasticlavendercrystals]

Such a beautiful blog post and I love the idea of star-crossed lovers.

I have posted my version of Star-crossed lovers in my horror-romance-character deep dive Champagne Problems: Champagne Problems - Chapter 1 - Fantasticlavendercrystals - Hannibal Rising (2007) [Archive of Our Own]

This is one who wanted more from a Hannibal sequel - where Clarice's progression to Hannibal feels paced, messy, and measured. She changes, but in the end, she is still recognisable. Where Hannibal remains the dashing charismatic wonder, but also the absolute terrifying menace that is Hannibal the Cannibal. Never forget what he is, Fava Bean readers ;)

A Champagne problem, n. A problem that actually demonstrates one’s good fortune.

In this story: the kind of problem born when love, survival, beauty, wealth, devotion, and desire become indistinguishable from danger.

[acerobianco1984]

""I have no plans to call on you, Clarice, the world being more interesting with you in it."

"The Silence of the Lambs" is the movie that broke the system. It's like when you try to classify a game and you can't tell if it's a survival horror game or an action RPG because it does too many things right.

They say it's a thriller because there's an investigation, an FBI investigation (the procedural), and because the "monster" is a human, not a demon or an alien. For some, if there's no paranormal, it's not horror.

Please! Hannibal Lecter is described as a mythological monster. He smells Clarice's perfume through reinforced glass, has an almost supernatural mind, and eats people. If that's not horror, then Dracula is just a nobleman with anemia and a penchant for vintage.

For us it's a horror because it uses the language of fear:

the descent into the cells is pure Gothic aesthetic. The lights, the screams, the claustrophobia; Buffalo Bill isn't a chicken thief; he s k i n s. If that's not horror movie stuff, then I'm a Teletubby; the final scene in the night vision goggles is the pinnacle of survival horror before Resident Evil was even invented.

Let's be honest: in 1992, the Academy was still very "buttoned up." Calling it a horror film made older jurors break out in hives. Calling it a "Prestige Psychological Thriller" was the way to clear their conscience and give it the award without sounding like a Friday the 13th fan.

It's the same trick Spielberg played with Jaws. Calling it an "adventure" is a way of saying, "Hey, it's not a B movie, it's a serious film!" But try asking anyone who's ever been traumatized before going swimming in the sea whether that's an adventure film…

Thirty-five years later, we can call it a Modern Psychological Horror.

It's a film that doesn't need banal jump scares because the fear is under the skin. It's horror because it depicts the horror of the human psyche. If we really have to be precise to make everyone happy, we can say it is:

A "procedural thriller with cannibal-horror tendencies and a gothic undertone."

But since we're among us, let's be honest: it's the film that proved that horror can be intelligent, elegant, and win everything while the production company is going bankrupt (a timing that not even Lecter would have calculated better).

[fantasticlavendercrystals]

So true what a masterpiece

[fantasticlavendercrystals]

I posted my best chapter yet

And now I need a huge cup of tea, a dark room, and a blanket. Why couldn't I just write smut like everyone else? Why do I have to do blood curdling horror with my romance - because it's hardly been done the way I like it. If you want a sequel to Hopkins's Silence of The Lambs, like Hannibal but through a dark and vintage looking glass, you may like this: Champagne Problems - Chapter 1 - Fantasticlavendercrystals - Hannibal Rising (2007) [Archive of Our Own]

In the meantime, this darkly lovely pinterest quote sums up my feelings after this:

[drulalovescas]

everybody say thank you, fanfiction

[fantasticlavendercrystals]

Chapter 9 of my fic out now

Do you like Clarice X Hannibal fics, well so do I and I think there aren't enough on AO3 so I made my own. It's mature, adult, and I like constructive feedback.

‘You know I’ve always tried to give you what you wanted, Clarice. I gave you Lecter because — because, well, because I knew he couldn’t resist you…’ (Champagne Problems - Chapter 9: Lo Scoppio)

Hannibal Lecter escaped.

Clarice Starling did not escape him.

When a new case begins to echo his shadow — a missing girl, a witness who won’t settle, a past that refuses to stay closed — Clarice is pulled back into a pursuit she no longer trusts.

Champagne Problems is a slow-burn, but it is also a very intense, gothic, psychological thriller about recognition, desire, and what it costs to be seen by a man and a monster.

You won't hear me bang on about it again in this community, but please give it a shot if you like dark romance: Champagne Problems - Chapter 1 - Fantasticlavendercrystals - Hannibal Rising (2007) [Archive of Our Own]

[toptony]

Hannibal (2001)

[fantasticlavendercrystals]

I have really REALLY big problems with Hannibal, but then I remember the bantz such as this and the world is goooood <3

[cdigoddess]

[fantasticlavendercrystals]

ok I love this its so aware!

[jurassic-cunt]

excerpts from The Silence of the Lambs

[fantasticlavendercrystals]

i adore these snippets

[toptony]

Or did Jack Crawford send you for one last wheedle before you’re both booted off the case?

[fantasticlavendercrystals]

@userlecter seriously reminds me of when my heart hiccupped at the people will say we're in love <3

[userlecter]

Hannibal (2001) | dir: Ridley Scott ↳ Deleted scene

[toptony]

THE SILENCE OF THE LAMBS | 30 year anniversary | released February 14, 1991

I’ve been thinking about Valentine’s Day. It reminds me of something funny. Now that I think of it, I could make you very happy on Valentine’s Day, Clarice Starling. How, Dr. Lecter? By sending you a wonderful Valentine.

[fantasticlavendercrystals]

I can't believe it's almost 40 years...absolutely timeless\!

[userlecter]

Could he daily feel a stab of hunger for her, and find nourishment in the very sight of her? I think so. But would she see through the bars of his plight and ache for him?

[fantasticlavendercrystals]

I found a Hannibal repellent

We are gonna be seeing it utilised in Chapter 8 of Champagne Problems (A03 fanfic) - stay tuned I'm workin' on it ;)

[fantasticlavendercrystals]

Clarice x Hannibal recs - horrifically edible love stories

Hello Fava Beans. Happy belated Valentine's Day and Clannibal Day (Silence was born today). So today here are my top 5 personal recommendations for some romance intensive enjoyment for the pairing where we all have a tendency to justify ourselves (guys, sssshhh, It's alright. We're safe, in the shadows. It's fantasy, albeit a dark fantasy. I also fancied Jareth from Labyrinth and I haven't had a Goblin King take me to his kingdom yet - after ordering a goblin to kidnap me 500 times).

All fics are on AO3 (Archive Of Our Own) and where published within the last three years - the classics are great, but newcomers keep the love alive!

As always, 18+ recommendations only. Go watch Labyrinth kids - it's good, you're haven't developed your appetite for Hannibal yet. Come back later, kiddies :) Black-hearted adults...read on...

(AI Generated Image whilst I am working on my drawing skills - but the prompts are mine, so here's a Valentine's Day card for the fandom)

A Particular Silence by AverageHarpyUser (completed)

Did Hannibal (2001) not scratch that bad romance desire in your heart and soul? Well this might. It's a good chunky One-Shot that is over 5000 words with a delightful mix of Krendler-themed gore and beautiful wording from a fresh fan-favourite AO3 author.

A sample of the fic: Would they give you a medal, Clarice?” His eyes sparkled with something you couldn’t quite place before he continued once more, “Would you have it professionally framed, and hang it on your wall? Would being rewarded by a simple wall hanger stop you–”

2. Liquid Heart by elizabethlovestatu

Guys, do ME a favour - read this and comment! It's the most good fun in the fandom right now - but there's one problem - To be continued. I can't let it end this way without protest when we have the perfect dramedy - A Verger-hating plot, a cunning and sexy Hannibal who is devoted to our Special Agent Starling, Clarice and Crawford having a love-child that shares Lecter's DNA - come on, what more do you want? READ. IT. Now. We are a few chapters away from the end, and even if you read it unfinished as I did, you can imagine a good happily ever after.

A sample of the fic: “Perhaps that’s what the Tattler would prefer,” Clarice did her best not to smile at the ridiculousness of the situation. “See the fearsome beast return for the princess he managed to seduce.”

3. A Fairytale in Crimson by LCr86

LCr86 needs no introduction, the author is the IT-writer of the fandom right now, and for good reason. The prose are poetic, mythic, and tight, but I want to give some love to a new direction LCr86 is going in right now. A Fairytale in Crimson is claustrophobic, dangerous, and haunting in the most darkly romantic way possible. It's more restrained than her previous works, so it is good to let shimmer on a medium-heat over a roast dinner.

A sample of the fic: His Lord the Count.

He looked entirely himself, even more so than she remembered him. He wasn’t sun-tanned, nor was he pale. He was somewhere in between, vital and alive… and dangerously free.

4. All in green my love went riding by Louisfriend (completed)

6 completed chapters of cheeky Clarice and Hannibal banter - it's delicious. Hannibal is a mastermind, Clarice is curious as we deal with a Chapter 101 rewriting.

A sample of the fic: He nodded. “We’ll get to that in time. For now, breakfast?” He inclined his head slightly, indicating inside. 

Starling felt a small and sudden spike of alarm at the thought of eating at the dinner table again. She supposed it showed on her face, because he said, “we’ll eat on the patio if you’d like. You can keep your view.”

5. Low on Discipline Lecter Lecter & Clarice [One Shot] by TheCrownless2 (Completed)

A fun, erotic, one-shot about Clarice's desire for an escapee. I'm not a fan of the dessert, but the main course is to die for!

A sample of the fic: "No.” Clarice took a hand towel off the rack and handed it over to Lecter. When he took it, their fingers brushed for a moment and she felt her cheeks flush. “Are you any good with ciphers?” She added quickly, turning her head down. 

Happy Belated Valentine's Day Fava Beans ❤️🖤🤍

[fantasticlavendercrystals]

Graham's back, Clarice is out, Lecter's in

‘Be here by morning, Graham. Sober.’ Crawford said.

The call ended.

Clarice let the conclusion settle.

She wasn’t being dismissed. She wasn’t being reassigned.

She simply wasn’t part of it.

I won’t call on you again.

Doctor Lecter had said it as a boundary.

She had believed him.

Closed.

Now, without warning, she understood that it no longer was.

He hadn’t come back to her. He had moved everything else.

From my fic, Champagne Problems: Champagne Problems - Chapter 6 - Fantasticlavendercrystals - Hannibal Rising (2007) [Archive of Our Own]

[eldritchblue]

old hannibal ditty

[fantasticlavendercrystals]

absolutely stunning creepy art