Primal Fear is best remembered for the debut performance of Edward Norton, one of the most critically lauded new actors of the 1990s. Norton received overwhelming plaudits for his role as a Southern altar boy accused of murder, and he was duly nominated for a Best Supporting Actor Oscar. Though Norton was praised by the critics, star Richard Gere caused a wider disparity of opinion for his performance. Still, former television director Gregory Hoblit creates considerable suspense, coaxing convincing thrills out of the script's twist ending. Fear was a moderate success in Gere's spotty 1990s film career.