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Basic Instinct

Play trailer 1:57 Poster for Basic Instinct R 1992 2h 7m Mystery & Thriller Play Trailer Watchlist
Watchlist Tomatometer Popcornmeter
56% Tomatometer 79 Reviews 64% Popcornmeter 100,000+ Ratings
The mysterious Catherine Tramell, a beautiful crime novelist, becomes a suspect when she is linked to the brutal death of a rock star. Investigated by homicide detective Nick Curran, Catherine seduces him into an intense relationship. Meanwhile, the murder case becomes increasingly complicated when more seemingly connected deaths occur and Nick's psychologist and lover, Beth Garner, appears to be another suspect.
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Basic Instinct

Basic Instinct

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Critics Consensus

Unevenly echoing the work of Alfred Hitchcock, Basic Instinct contains a star-making performance from Sharon Stone but is ultimately undone by its problematic, overly lurid plot.

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Critics Reviews

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Chuck Bowen Slant Magazine May 1
Ruthless craftsmanship is Paul Verhoeven’s highest form of politics. Go to Full Review
Anton Bitel Little White Lies 06/14/2021
...earns its status as what Nick deems "the f*ck of the century", or at least what Catherine grudgingly concedes to be "a pretty good beginning", in radicalising the sexual politics of a subgenre more often associated with male privilege. Go to Full Review
Carrie Nelson Bitch Media 01/12/2021
Basic Instinct depicts queerness in the most sinister ways imaginable. Go to Full Review
Yasser Medina Cinefilia 06/06/2024
5/10
An erotic thriller that initially hooks me with Sharon Stone's stellar performance as the dangerous and sensual femme fatale, but that, unfortunately, loses all its police intrigue with a gimmicky plot of sex, lies and murder. [Full review in Spanish] Go to Full Review
Terry Francis Southern Voice (Atlanta) 05/09/2023
Basic Instinct is the work of fundamentally immature sensibilities. It uses women and differences in affectional preference as fodder for its misogynist, peek-a-boo mentality that views whatever it cannot understand as evil and threatening. Go to Full Review
Charles Rhodes Our Own Community Press (Norfolk, VA) 05/03/2023
A conglomeration of misogynistic nad homophobic images... Go to Full Review
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Audience Reviews

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Don J 07/10/2021 Saw the new 4K remaster of Basic Instinct (2021) produced by Rialto Pictures and Studio Canal. The transfer was really good and clean and felt fresh for a movie that is almost 30 years old. I had not seen this movie in about 15 years, so seeing it on the big screen felt pretty fresh. Is Basic Instinct a great movie? No. But, I think it was a bold movie for it's time to take on some really explicit material including sexual and sadistic violence, which many producers didn't have the courage to take on before. The movie's main strength is the electrifying chemistry between Michael Douglas and Sharon Stone. See more Qasim R Dec 2 Must watch phycological thriller film . It's always keeps you guessing. See more Jack F @MovieFan111 Nov 19 I think I missed the famous scene. I don't know how though. Eh, whatever. See more Ads T Nov 6 '90s erotic neo-noir didn't get much better than this Paul Verhoeven thriller. It has tremendous style, top-level acting and a star-making performance from Sharon Stone- not to mention the notorious interrogation scene which gave the film it's R rating. The convoluted plot is the only liability though because we are never really sure who the killer is, even in the final revealing scene. See more Rohan H Oct 31 Basic Instinct (1992) is a stylish and provocative psychological thriller that redefined the genre with its fearless storytelling, magnetic performances, and masterful tension. Directed by Paul Verhoeven and written by Joe Eszterhas, the film is a razor-sharp mix of mystery, sensuality, and psychological manipulation — a movie that dares to shock but also compels you to think. Michael Douglas stars as Detective Nick Curran, a seasoned cop investigating the brutal murder of a rock star. The prime suspect: Catherine Tramell, an enigmatic and brilliant crime novelist played by Sharon Stone in a career-defining performance. From the moment she appears on screen, Stone commands attention. Her portrayal of Catherine is hypnotic — intelligent, seductive, and dangerous, yet always in control. It’s one of the most iconic performances of the 1990s, and it transformed her into a cinematic legend. Douglas delivers a powerful performance as the flawed detective drawn into Catherine’s web of intrigue and desire. The chemistry between him and Stone is electric — equal parts fascination and fear — driving the film’s psychological and erotic tension to its limits. Their power struggle becomes the core of the story, blurring the line between passion and peril. Verhoeven’s direction is sleek and fearless. He crafts each scene with precision, using mood, lighting, and pacing to heighten the sense of danger and seduction. Jan de Bont’s cinematography is striking — cold, modern, and elegant — perfectly matching the film’s tone, while Jerry Goldsmith’s haunting musical score adds sophistication and menace. The result is a film that feels both stylish and unsettling, both intimate and grand. Beyond its sensationalism, Basic Instinct is an intelligent and layered exploration of control, obsession, and the darker corners of human desire. It challenges perceptions of gender and power, presenting a female character who is not a victim but a master of her own narrative. In a genre dominated by male-driven perspectives, Catherine Tramell stands out as a symbol of autonomy and mystery. See more Elena K Sep 17 The acting was good, but I don’t really get the hype about this movie. It was so clear and obvious from the beginning See more Read all reviews
Basic Instinct

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Basic Instinct

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Movie Info

Synopsis The mysterious Catherine Tramell, a beautiful crime novelist, becomes a suspect when she is linked to the brutal death of a rock star. Investigated by homicide detective Nick Curran, Catherine seduces him into an intense relationship. Meanwhile, the murder case becomes increasingly complicated when more seemingly connected deaths occur and Nick's psychologist and lover, Beth Garner, appears to be another suspect.
Director
Paul Verhoeven
Producer
Alan Marshall
Screenwriter
Joe Eszterhas
Distributor
Live Entertainment, Live Video, Pioneer Entertainment, Columbia Tristar
Production Co
Canal+, Carolco Pictures Inc., TriStar Pictures
Rating
R
Genre
Mystery & Thriller
Original Language
English
Release Date (Theaters)
Mar 20, 1992, Original
Release Date (Streaming)
Dec 15, 2015
Runtime
2h 7m
Sound Mix
Surround, Stereo
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