# The “really dark” 2001 role that left Julianne Moore in need of therapy: “I actually talked to my shrink about it”

- URL: https://talkfuse.com/story/the-really-dark-2001-role-that-left-julianne-moore-in-need-of-therapy-i-actually-talked-to-my-shrink-about-it/
- Published: 2026-11-11T03:30:00+00:00
- Updated: 2026-11-11T04:24:40+00:00
- Original publisher: Far Out
- Original article: https://faroutmagazine.co.uk/really-dark-2001-role-left-julianne-moore-in-need-of-therapy/
- Topics: Health, Mental Health

## Key points

- Moore discussed the darkness of *Hannibal* with her therapist.
- She found its violence and moral themes difficult.
- She replaced Jodie Foster as Clarice Starling.

## Summary

Julianne Moore said her role in 2001 film *Hannibal* was so psychologically disturbing that she discussed it with her therapist. The story’s exploration of evil and human morality, as well as its violence, made the part harder to absorb than she had expected.

Moore took over as FBI agent Clarice Starling after Jodie Foster declined to return for the sequel to *The Silence of the Lambs*. Director Ridley Scott chose Moore, with Anthony Hopkins supporting her casting; other actors considered included Angelina Jolie, Cate Blanchett, Hilary Swank and Gillian Anderson. Moore said she came to view the story as a fable about good and evil, though she still found it psychologically horrifying.

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Summarised by TalkFuse (https://talkfuse.com/). Quote the original publisher for the reporting and link this page for the summary and discussion.