Silence of the Lambs (1991) w/ Pictish Trail

In this episode of A Year in Horror, host Paul welcomes musician Johnny Lynch, aka Pictish Trail, to discuss his upcoming album Life Slime and his first-time viewing of the 1991 horror classic The Silence of the Lambs. Lynch, who lives on the remote Isle of Egg in Scotland, shares how his isolated, off-grid lifestyle fuels his creative process and informs the deeply personal, emotionally raw nature of his new record, which explores themes of relationship breakdown and emotional 'slime' through both lyrics and surreal album art. The conversation shifts to the film, where Lynch reveals he’d never seen it before, despite its cultural ubiquity, and recounts being profoundly unsettled by its suspense, psychological depth, and the infamous night goggles scene. He praises Jodie Foster’s restrained yet powerful performance and Anthony Hopkins’ chilling presence, even as he critiques the film’s tonal shifts and the unsettling symbolism of Buffalo Bill’s swastika quilt. The episode concludes with Lynch reflecting on how this experience opened a new door to horror, sparking a desire to explore the genre further, while also celebrating the creative synergy between music and film, especially through his collaboration with comedian James Acaster.