The Silence of the Lambs’ Famous Buffalo Bill Quote Has a Deeper Meaning

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When Jonathan Demme’s film came out 35 years ago, almost no one anticipated how incredibly successful it would become in so many ways. It launched Sir Anthony Hopkins to international fame and made history as the first – and still only – horror movie to win the Academy Award for Best Picture.

Pop culture often deals with the disturbing parts of movies by making them funny – think of Hannibal Lecter’s famous line about fava beans and Chianti, or his creepy mask. However, the meme about the ‘lotion in the basket’ might be the most problematic example of this tendency to lighten truly frightening content.

Hannibal Overshadows the Villain in The Silence of the Lambs

While Manhunter (1986) first introduced the character of Hannibal Lecter – played by Brian Cox – it was Anthony Hopkins’ portrayal in The Silence of the Lambs that truly captivated audiences. Hopkins had significantly more screen time, and his Lecter became so popular that he often stole the spotlight from the film’s main villain, Buffalo Bill.

The film follows FBI investigator Clarice Starling (Jodie Foster) as she hunts for Jame “Buffalo Bill” Gumb (Ted Levine), who has kidnapped the daughter of a senator (played by Brooke Smith as Catherine Martin). The captivating conversations between Hannibal Lecter (Anthony Hopkins) and Clarice create a strong contrast with the scenes of Buffalo Bill holding his captive in a dark, damp basement, where he barely speaks to her.

While the movie largely focuses on Clarice Starling investigating the disturbing details of Buffalo Bill’s crimes—like the drowned bodies and the moth imagery—the most memorable scenes belong to Hannibal Lecter. Both the film and the book share a climax that’s divided between a fairly ordinary confrontation between Clarice and Buffalo Bill, and Lecter’s shockingly dramatic escape from prison.

Buffalo Bill’s Quote in The Silence of the Lambs Has Become a Source of Humor

Buffalo Bill is famous for two unsettling scenes in the movie The Silence of the Lambs. The first is his bizarre dance, where he dances naked in front of a mirror to the song “Goodbye Horses” by Q Lazzarus. The second is when he instructs his captive to lower a basket into the well she’s held in, requesting she send up a bottle of lotion.

The first example isn’t as widely appealing as fava beans, which explains why it hasn’t become a popular meme. The second one, though unsettling when you know the source, is easier to see as simply absurd. Bill repeatedly says, “It puts the lotion in the basket” and “It puts the lotion on its skin,” all while petting his poodle and making sounds like an overly dramatic woman.

In this scene, Buffalo Bill’s treatment of Catherine – referring to her as “it” instead of a person – reveals his dehumanizing view of her. He also uses his unconventional sexuality as a quick and sensational way to signal danger and strangeness, which is actually quite serious. Despite this, the scene, specifically the reference to “the basket,” has become a popular meme, appearing in shows like South Park and Family Guy, and even sold as a Halloween decoration.

Buffalo Bill’s Skin Suit Carries a Much Deeper Meaning in The Silence of the Lambs

Thomas Harris’ novel adds depth to the character of Buffalo Bill. While the movie briefly suggests his crimes stemmed from prolonged childhood abuse, the book provides a much richer backstory. It details his difficult upbringing in foster care, his training as a tailor during a stay in a mental institution, and a crime of passion that ultimately connected him with Hannibal Lecter.

The character Bill in the film embodies the classic movie psychopath, driven by a disturbing desire to create a human skin suit. This portrayal reflects a past era where any deviation from traditional sexual norms was often viewed with suspicion and even as something evil. Historically, movies frequently linked men dressing in women’s clothing to psychological issues – like obsessive desires (Glen or Glenda), unresolved childhood conflicts (Psycho), or outright mental illness (Dressed to Kill).

The contrast with Hannibal Lecter becomes even more striking. He’s presented as a strangely compelling figure – calm, charming, and brilliant at solving puzzles using obscure knowledge, almost making him a dark hero. The movie concludes with Lecter free and openly telling Clarice about his next intended victim, and the scene is oddly framed as something to celebrate. In comparison, Buffalo Bill feels flat and one-dimensional, which limits how memorable he is as a villain.

The phrase “lotion in the basket” might seem like a strange, random detail from a horror film. However, it actually occurred during a scene of intense torture, where a man was harming a woman and planning to disguise himself by wearing her skin. While not all internet memes are disturbing, it’s important to be aware of the origins and potential darker meanings behind popular GIFs and jokes, and to distinguish between harmless fun and content with a troubling background.

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Beyond the Memes: Unpacking The Silence of the Lambs’ Dark Legacy
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2026-02-09 03:07