I’ve always equated Hannibal Lecter with the Shark from Jaws. Sure, the good doctor is a more entertaining host — until he gets peckish — but they both essentially kill to feed. That’s all the motivation they require. How silly would it be to give a shark a tragic origin story? About as silly as setting a film in Lithuania and France with French and Lithuanian characters and then having everybody speak English. Or…

The question of what shaped Hannibal into the monster he became is explored in this film. Director Peter Webber and author Thomas Harris present us with Hannibal Lector (born Lecter), detailing his early life. Initially, it’s clear that this isn't a horror movie, which has frustrated some viewers who anticipated something else entirely. It’s unfortunate because the result is a very strong thriller, full of intelli…