31 Days of Horror: Red Dragon (2002)

Brett Ratner brings yet another Thomas Harris novel to creepy life. "Meet Hannibal Lecter for the first time" is the tagline and while Dr. Lecter is certainly memorable, it is Ralph Fiennes as Francis Dolarhyde that really shines.

In Red Dragon, retired FBI Agent Will Graham (Ed Norton) must seek the aid of Dr. Lecter in order to apprehend a serial killer known as the 'Tooth Fairy' who kills every full moon. A word of caution, the last time Agent Graham worked with Dr. Lecter he barely survived.

Ratner keeps three main story lines afloat here with the help of a stellar cast (new and returning) and solid screenplay. Also on board, Danny Elfman with a gorgeous score. But let's not get ahead of ourselves. The pure evil played here by Fiennes is the skin-crawling, demented kind. Francis Dolarhyde is unassuming enough, but beneath that meek exterior is an insane demonic rage. Fiennes is spellbinding.

Red Dragon is more brutal and graphic that Silence of the Lambs or Hannibal {which I prefer didn't exist}. Ratner delves deep to flesh out horrible psychological damage in our evil. Visually arresting, Ratner layers the stories beautifully building to a damning conclusion.

Emily Watson takes a beautiful turn as Reba, Dolarhyde's love interest. This storyline is equally horrifying and suspense filled. Reba changes Dolarhyde--you sense remorse and are torn by his unspeakable acts that are a direct result of ... *sorry, no spoilers allowed!!*

Red Dragon is a well crafted brutal thriller that gives it's audience more than a high body count. Skip Hannibal and see this.