Sign in

Brian Raftery

@brianraftery.bsky.social
540 followers 712 following 30 posts

Author and podcaster. You can pre-order HANNIBAL LECTER: A LIFE here: shorturl.at/nMUxV Press queries: rebecca.rozenberg@simonandschuster.com Email: brianraftery@gmail.com

PostsRepliesMedia
Brian Raftery @brianraftery.bsky.social · 06/08/2026
My latest for @nytimes.com is an interview with horror maestro John Carpenter about his new album and graphic novel "Cathedral." (Not included: The moment where I inadvertently encouraged Carpenter to sing a few bars of John Tesh's "Roundball Rock"): tinyurl.com/bddprrpf
tinyurl.com
John Carpenter Found a New Way to Give You Nightmares (Gift Article)
The director of slasher films that defined horror from the 1970s through the ’90s realizes his latest work, “Cathedral,” as both a graphic novel and a hard-rock album.
041
Brian Raftery @brianraftery.bsky.social · 23/07/2026
For @letterboxd.social, I wrote about the making and impact of DAISIES, which has only become more revolutionary--and more revered--in the 60 years since its arrival: boxd.it/3gO
boxd.it
Fresh as Daisies: embracing the anarchic energy of Věra Chytilová’s Czech New Wave classic at 60 • Journal • A Letterboxd Magazine
As Věra Chytilová’s Daisies turns 60, Brian Raftery reflects on the frenetic aesthetic and lasting influence of an underground Czechoslovak classic.
010
Reposted by Brian Raftery
Brian Saur @bobfreelander.bsky.social · 16/07/2026
New over on our @purecinemapod.bsky.social Patreon, we are joined by author & podcaster @brianraftery.bsky.social for another episode of Film Discoveries! www.patreon.com/purecinemapod
051
Brian Raftery @brianraftery.bsky.social · 30/06/2026
For @nytimes.com, I traveled to the Pennsylvania mall where George A. Romero filmed the 1979 classic "Dawn of the Dead." With the building set to close, thousands of fans gathered there this month to celebrate the mall's big-screen legacy--and to say goodbye: tinyurl.com/3vtzkztz
tinyurl.com
010
Brian Raftery @brianraftery.bsky.social · 18/05/2026
For @nytimes.com, I wrote about the life and career of Shrek creator William Steig, whose 1990 children's book launched a decades-spanning pop-culture franchise--not to mention a gazillion memes: tinyurl.com/39vra4mw
tinyurl.com
020
Reposted by Brian Raftery
Mat Bradley-Tschirgi @matwbt.bsky.social · 15/05/2026
Listen to my interview with Hannibal Lecter: A Life author Brian Raftery @brianraftery.bsky.social on my podcast The Film-Flam Man with Mat Bradley-Tschirgi Listen to it here: matwbt.substack.com/p/brian-raft... #horrorsky #hannibal #fannibal #podcasts
matwbt.substack.com
Brian Raftery (Hannibal Lecter: A Life)
We interview author Brian Raftery (Hannibal Lecter: A Life, Best.
076
Brian Raftery @brianraftery.bsky.social · 11/05/2026
For @nytimes, I wrote about @lalalandrecords.bsky.social, a soundtrack label that's found success by bucking numerous record-biz trends--and by tracking down long-lost film and TV music even composers believed to be gone: tinyurl.com/mt5dnybt
tinyurl.com
071
Reposted by Brian Raftery
Matt Zoller Seitz @mattzollerseitz.bsky.social · 16/04/2026
We are down to our last 3 signed copies of Hannibal Lecter: A Life, a splendid, sweeping look at every incarnation of the character, by @brianraftery.bsky.social. (Thanks, Brian!) mzs.press/SIGNED-Hanni...
mzs.press
SIGNED Hannibal Lecter: A Life (Hardcover, NEW)
Drawing from exclusive interviews and previously unseen archival materials, Brian Raftery 's one-of-its-kind biography of Hannibal Lecter documents the cannibal’s journey from terrifying villain to un...
1102
Brian Raftery @brianraftery.bsky.social · 09/04/2026
Los Angeles! Join me next month at the fantastic @EgyptianLA for a screening of SILENCE OF THE LAMBS. I'll be doing an intro, signing copies of HANNIBAL LECTER: A LIFE, and scotch-taping cans of fava beans taped to the bottom of every seat. Tickets here: tinyurl.com/mr45ts4k
tinyurl.com
THE SILENCE OF THE LAMBS - American Cinematheque
35mm, 70mm, nitrate, state-of-the-art digital. Q&As, retrospectives, double-features, triple-features, marathons. We’re a year-round film festival. There’s something for everyone in our programming lineup.
010
Brian Raftery @brianraftery.bsky.social · 09/04/2026
Last year, former MTV VJ Matt Pinfield suffered a stroke and fell into a nearly two-month-long coma. Today, you can find him out on hikes and back on the air. My latest piece for @nytimes.com chronicles Pinfield's remarkable last fifteen months: www.nytimes.com/2026/04/09/a...
nytimes.com
A Stroke and a Coma Couldn’t Stop Rock’s Big Booster
010
Reposted by Brian Raftery
Matt Zoller Seitz @mattzollerseitz.bsky.social · 03/04/2026
"I hear mzs.press has 10 signed copies of Hannibal Lecter: A Life, @brianraftery.bsky.social's book about the character's depiction across media. Thoughtfully written. And the dust jacket has a texture that makes the fingers instinctively glide, Will."—H. Lecter LINK: mzs.press/New-Arrivals...
The cover of Brian Raftery's nonfiction book Hannibal Lecter: A Life, about the Hannibal Lecter character's depiction on the page and the screen. The title and author are in a large, tall, narrow, white font, placed above and below a piece of pie, a green plate, and a spoon. The top of the pie is definitely meringue, but the interior is a marbled red, almost as if it were made from... no, no one would do such a thing Would they?
3224
Reposted by Brian Raftery
The B-Side @tfsbside.bsky.social · 02/03/2026
On our latest, @brianraftery.bsky.social joins to dissect the B-Sides of Anthony Hopkins! From JUGGERNAUT (a banger!) to INSTINCT (a movie that exists!) we cover a wide range, and also spotlight some of his most memorable roles: bit.ly/4ua6Qp8
043
Reposted by Brian Raftery
The Film Stage @thefilmstage.com · 27/02/2026
We discuss the career of Anthony Hopkins and four of his most underseen films with @brianraftery.bsky.social, author of the new book Hannibal Lecter: A Life. Listen to @tfsbside.bsky.social: thefilmstage.com/the-b-sides-... Subscribe: thefilmstage.com/pod
0116
Reposted by Brian Raftery
Gillian Flynn @gillianflynn.bsky.social · 12/02/2026
Looking forward to my event tonight with @brianraftery.bsky.social to celebrate his fantastic new book: HANNIBAL LECTER: A LIFE. Come join us at Exile in Bookville at 7:00 tonight! I’m naturally preparing with some fave beans and a nice chianti.
041
Reposted by Brian Raftery
Matt Zoller Seitz @mattzollerseitz.bsky.social · 11/02/2026
Dallas-FW! Manhunter screens Fri Feb 13 at Texas Theatre (@texastheatre.bsky.social) . Downstairs theater, INCREDIBLE sound. I'm hosting it & talking with guest @brianraftery.bsky.social, who'll sign copies of his new book Hannibal Lecter: A Life afterward. TIX: thetexastheatre.com/film/manhunt...
Original 1986 theatrical poster for Manhunter, in blue, gray, yellow, orange, and black, colors like a silk screen. Star William L Petersen is at the top, in pensive close-up, and right below it, his silhouette can be seen looming in the doorway of a dark room, holding a flashlight.
98912
Brian Raftery @brianraftery.bsky.social · 10/02/2026
One more HANNIBAL LECTER: A LIFE excerpt to share, this time from @goldderby.com: A behind-the-scenes look at the night SILENCE OF THE LAMBS devoured the Oscars: tinyurl.com/yzswzf3c
tinyurl.com
The secret history of how Hannibal Lecter won the Oscars in a ‘Lamb’-slide
This exclusive excerpt from Hannibal Lecter: A Life reveals the untold backstory of Silence of the Lambs' record romp at the 1992 Academy Awards.
020
Brian Raftery @brianraftery.bsky.social · 10/02/2026
It's the publication day for my new book, HANNIBAL LECTER: A LIFE--a reported look at the creation and impact of one of pop-culture's greatest characters. If you want a sneak peek, here are a few excerpts. First off: The making of MANHUNTER, from @the-ringer.bsky.social: rb.gy/geje11
rb.gy
How Hannibal Lecter Made His Film Debut in ‘Manhunter’
In an excerpt from his new book, ‘Hannibal Lecter: A Life,’ Brian Raftery chronicles Michael Mann’s effort to bring the iconic serial killer to the screen
1114
Reposted by Brian Raftery
Joshua Moore @joshuamoore.com · 06/02/2026
On Tuesday, the incredible @brianraftery.bsky.social joins us for a discussion about HANNIBAL and his book HANNIBAL LECTER: A LIFE! Raftery’s writing and podcasting are superb. Pre-order his book: www.simonandschuster.com/books/Hannib... Subscribe to NA2001MP: youtube.com/@notanother2...
042
Brian Raftery @brianraftery.bsky.social · 29/01/2026
The first excerpt for HANNIBAL LECTER: A LIFE is up today on @longreads.com! It digs into the mania that greeted The Silence of the Lambs" on opening weekend in 1991--and looks at how and why Hannibal Lecter instantly became America's most beloved bad guy: shorturl.at/8joEz
shorturl.at
When Hannibal Lecter Took Over - Longreads
With "The Silence of the Lambs" hitting theaters, Orion wanted a hit. They didn't anticipate an antihero.
0146
Brian Raftery @brianraftery.bsky.social · 14/01/2026
Hey Chicago! If you're free on February 12th, join me and @gillianflynn.bsky.social for a discussion about HANNIBAL LECTER: A LIFE at Exile in Bookville. Register for FREE here: tinyurl.com/46f22zws
030
Brian Raftery @brianraftery.bsky.social · 18/11/2025
Very excited to share the cover for my next book, HANNIBAL LECTER: A LIFE, coming in February from Simon & Schuster! It's about how Thomas Harris created one of the most beloved bad guys of all time, and a look at the making of such hits as THE SILENCE OF THE LAMBS, MANHUNTER, and NBC's HANNIBAL.
The book cover for HANNIBAL LECTER: A LIFE, by Brian Raftery
7304
Reposted by Brian Raftery
Capes and Tights @capesandtights.com · 13/11/2025
Hannibal Lecter: A Life is a fascinating deep dive into the evolution of Hannibal Lecter and his rise to fame in the horror genre. @brianraftery.bsky.social
capesandtights.com
Hannibal Lecter: A Life Review - The Making of a Monster
Hannibal Lecter: A Life is a fascinating deep dive into the evolution of Hannibal Lecter and his rise to fame in the horror genre.
031
Brian Raftery @brianraftery.bsky.social · 11/09/2025
For @nytimes.com, I wrote about music-biz veteran George Drakoulias, who went from producing records for Tom Petty and the Jayhawks to being the music supervisor on such hits as "Severance" and "Barbie." Gift link here: shorturl.at/nLc8j
shorturl.at
042
Brian Raftery @brianraftery.bsky.social · 12/08/2025
The first episode of MISSION ACCOMPLISHED, my new Ringer podcast about how the George W. Bush era changed Hollywood, is out today! Episode one looks at the making of two very different films about early-2000s teen life: BRING IT ON and DONNIE DARKO: shorturl.at/FSXhE
shorturl.at
1. ‘Bring It On’ and ‘Donnie Darko’ | Mission Accomplished
The Big Picture · Episode
3113
Brian Raftery @brianraftery.bsky.social · 01/08/2025
My next podcast for The Ringer launches Aug. 12th! MISSION ACCOMPLISHED examines the making of 12 great 2000s movies, and chronicles how Hollywood and America changed during the Bush years. Expect new filmmaker interviews + fun behind-the-scenes tales + plenty of early-21st century lunacy.
030
Brian Raftery @brianraftery.bsky.social · 23/12/2024
For @nytimes, I wrote about the peak era of the daily comic strip--a time when newspapers were bursting with blockbusters like 'Bloom County, 'Cathy,' 'Calvin & Hobbes,' 'The Far Side,' and other beloved hits (gift link below): www.nytimes.com/2024/12/23/b...
nytimes.com
Remembering When ‘the World Really Made Sense’ on the Comics Pages (Gift Article)
Wildly popular strips like “Bloom County,” “Calvin and Hobbes,” “Cathy,” “The Far Side” “and “Doonesbury” peaked in the 1980s, but they left their mark.
4275
Brian Raftery @brianraftery.bsky.social · 19/11/2024
This month marks the 10-year anniversary of the Sony Hack--a seismic event that impacted showbiz, politics, the media, and the tech world. I spoke with many key players for THE HOLLYWOOD HACK, a podcast produced earlier this year by The Ringer and Spotify. Here's episode one: tinyurl.com/4e858hty
tinyurl.com
1. The World Will Be Full of Fear | The Hollywood Hack
The Big Picture · Episode
060