FBI Agent Clarice Starling is looking for a murderer who has killed several girls and stripped skin from their bodies. For help she goes to the jail cell of a very psychotic but very intelligent inmate, Hannibal Lecter. Hannibal likes to make her talk about herself and search her own soul for answers. Clarice continues to investigate the murders and discuss things with Dr. Lecter. A Congresswoman's daughter disappears, and everyone knows the murderer has her. Dr. Lecter is moved from his maximum security prison cell and put into a holding cage as per his deal with Clarice. She visits him one last time before going to find the murderer using the clues he has given her. While the rest of the FBI chases a false lead, she goes to the house of the murderer. She finds the Congresswoman's daughter in a pit in the basement. The murderer is in the darkened basement with them. He has infrared goggles, and Clarice does not, so she knows it's only a matter of time. Fortunately the posse arrives and takes the lunatic prisoner freeing the daughter who is still alive. Clarice learns that Dr. Lecter escaped from his holding cell using very ingenious methods. She thinks it's all behind her until she receives a phone call from Dr. Lecter.