30 years ago, Primal Fear perfected the art of the twist ending

Director Gregory Hoblit (Fallen, Fracture) opens Primal Fear like a glossy courtroom thriller. We’re quickly acquainted with Chicago defense attorney Martin Vail (Richard Gere), who covets controversial cases due to his fondness for the spotlight. Flashy and arrogant, Vail leverages his connections with high-profile clients to establish himself as an important man. So when the beloved Archbishop Rushman (Stanley Anderson) is found brutally murdered, and a 19-year-old altar boy named Aaron Stampler (Edward Norton) is caught fleeing the scene, Vail swoops in to defend him pro bono. While Vail has sympathy for the young man, he also knows the case will end up being sensationalized by the press and public. This is when the tone shifts, with Primal Fear taking on a gritty, sinister quality that reveals its true colors, leading up to a haunting twist ending.