‘I went to the Silence of the Lambs filming location, and climbed down one notorious spot’
A horror fan has terrified viewers after visiting a Silence of the Lambs filming location and climbing down the infamous spot linked to the movie’s most chilling scene
Duchess of Darkness Brocarde visited the house where The Silence of the Lambs was filmed(Image: Supplied)
This week, for her Terrifying Travels column, Duchess of Darkness Brocarde visited the house where The Silence of the Lambs was filmed, recreating some of the movie’s most iconic scenes.
Naturally, that included climbing down the infamous basement well with a bottle of body lotion and Precious the dog. I’ve always been a horror fanatic, and I firmly believe that the older horror films are often the ones that stay with us the longest.
The Silence of the Lambs is part horror, part psychological thriller, and its chilling exploration of the human mind is what makes it so unforgettable. Rather than relying on relentless gore or cheap jump scares, it delves into the psychology of both predator and prey, making it one of the most compelling horror films ever made.
She recreated some of the movie’s most iconic scenes(Image: Supplied)
While travelling through Pittsburgh, I discovered a holiday rental unlike any other. The moment I heard about Buffalo Bill’s House, I knew I had to spend a night there.
The self catering property served as the home of the film’s primary antagonist, Jame Gumb, better known as Buffalo Bill, the deeply disturbed serial killer at the heart of The Silence of the Lambs. In the film, Buffalo Bill kidnaps and murders women with the horrifying intention of making a suit from their skin. Beforehand, his victims are imprisoned in a deep well, where he repeatedly orders them to rub body lotion onto their skin after drenching them with a hose.
The lotion was never an act of kindness, it was all part of his grotesque plan. One of Buffalo Bill’s House’s biggest attractions is the replica four foot deep well, built in the basement by legendary special effects artist Tom Savini.
She discovered a holiday rental unlike any other(Image: Supplied)
It gives visitors the chance to channel their inner Catherine Martin, the terrified captive at the centre of one of cinema’s most unforgettable scenes. Walking into Buffalo Bill’s House genuinely felt like stepping onto a film set.
The property has been lovingly preserved, retaining its unmistakable early 1990s charm. The lace curtains, vintage décor and eerie atmosphere make you feel as though you’ve wandered into your own horror film, and that’s before you’ve even ventured downstairs.
Hannibal Lecter greets guests at the front door, while Precious the dog patiently waits at his feet, ready to unsettle unsuspecting visitors. No matter how many times I walked past the Hannibal statue, it still managed to make me jump, despite knowing full well it was there.
It gives visitors the chance to channel their inner Catherine Martin(Image: Supplied)
From the moment you step onto the porch, there’s no mistaking where you are. The house is filled with photographs, props and memorabilia from the film, while The Silence of the Lambs plays continuously in the attic cinema room.
The attention to detail is remarkable. Even the dining table is decorated with moth themed place settings, a clever nod to Buffalo Bill’s signature calling card of leaving a death’s head hawkmoth inside his victims.
It’s certainly an unusual thing to have on your mind while eating dinner. Throughout the house, photographs show exactly where famous scenes were filmed, allowing visitors to recreate them for themselves.
The Silence of the Lambs plays continuously in the attic cinema room(Image: Supplied)
For me, that opportunity was impossible to resist. I enthusiastically grabbed the green duffle coat hanging in the hallway and transformed myself into Agent Clarice Starling.
Admittedly, my resemblance to Jodie Foster is questionable, and armed with nothing more than a toy shop prop gun, I doubt the FBI would have accepted my application. Still, I perfected my best pursed lip expression and even abandoned my trademark winged eyeliner in an attempt to embrace Clarice’s understated look.
I did the best I could with the tools I had. Even more entertaining than becoming Clarice was climbing down into the replica well dressed in a beige boiler suit.
Throughout the house, photographs show exactly where famous scenes were filmed(Image: Supplied)
Looking frightened, bedraggled and slightly unhinged comes surprisingly naturally to me, and trembling in the cold, damp basement certainly wasn’t difficult. Recreating the film’s iconic moments isn’t just encouraged at Buffalo Bill’s House, it’s practically expected.
Costumes are tucked away around every corner, making cosplay feel almost mandatory. Quite frankly, it would have been rude not to join in.
After all the excitement, I made one final journey past Hannibal Lecter’s animatronic figure before heading upstairs for the night. I had four wonderfully themed bedrooms to choose from.
Costumes are tucked away around every corner(Image: Supplied)
Buffalo Bill’s Suite was, unsurprisingly, the largest, after all, it was his house. The incredible attention to detail continued upstairs. Clarice’s room featured an FBI cap and replica badge, Hannibal’s room displayed his haunting portrait above the bed, while Precious’s room was a dream for dog lovers.
Eventually, I drifted off to sleep beneath an image of Buffalo Bill, complete with the infamous photograph of moths emerging from his tucked genitals watching over me. It’s certainly not the most conventional bedtime companion, but somehow I slept surprisingly well.
If you’ve ever wanted to step inside one of the greatest psychological horror films ever made, Buffalo Bill’s House is available to book as a holiday rental. If spending the night feels a little too terrifying, daytime tours are also available.
Either way, for horror fans, it’s an unforgettable experience that deserves a place on every spooky bucket list.
For the latest breaking news and stories from across the globe from the Daily Star, sign up for our newsletters.
