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Instinct

Play trailer Poster for Instinct R Released Jun 4, 1999 2h 3m Drama Play Trailer Watchlist
Watchlist Tomatometer Popcornmeter
26% Tomatometer 65 Reviews 67% Popcornmeter 25,000+ Ratings
Years after he goes missing in the jungles of Africa, anthropologist Ethan Powell (Anthony Hopkins) resurfaces when it's discovered that he has murdered two poachers who were killing the gorillas he was studying. After spending an extended time living with the primates and without any human contact, Powell seems to be unhinged, and psychiatrist Theo Caulder (Cuba Gooding Jr.) is called in to try to get through to the withdrawn and angry man -- who may be wiser and saner than he appears.
Instinct

What to Know

Critics Consensus

A convoluted and predictable plot overshadows the performances.

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Critics Reviews

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Philip Wuntch Dallas Morning News Regardless of how familiar the storyline and characters seem, everyone connected with the movie seems to think it's of invaluable importance. Instinct is one suffocatingly pompous flick. Jan 1, 2000 Full Review Julie Hinds San Jose Mercury News The result is so artificial. Jan 1, 2000 Full Review Bob Fenster Arizona Republic Gooding hurts the film more than his energetic presence helps it! Jan 1, 2000 Full Review Joe Lozito Big Picture Big Sound Rated: 2/4 Dec 27, 2007 Full Review Rob Gonsalves Rob's Movie Vault Yet another spiritual weepie that decries human follies and yet puts a happy face on it all. Rated: F Sep 24, 2007 Full Review Film Threat Rated: 1.5/5 Dec 6, 2005 Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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Rita E I liked this movie. The acting is superb. It’s thought provoking. Some moments had me laughing while others had me in tears. Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars 06/16/25 Full Review Audience Member Fantastic and very suspenseful movie!! I loved this movie!! Rated 5 out of 5 stars 01/12/25 Full Review Tomaz B A good movie that gave me some food for thought about the way we perceive life, society and the world around us. Anthony Hopkins did a great acting job as Dr. Ethan Powell and I admit he's the reason I kept watching the movie. I felt like this movie was rather slow at times and I expected it to be more on the thriller/horror side of the movies, but it is good nonetheless. I'll probably forget about the movie as it wasn't that memorable, but I still had a good time watching it. Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars 01/03/25 Full Review Frank F One of the best movies of all time. Rated 5 out of 5 stars 12/28/24 Full Review Audience Member Several well done and moving scenes can not erase a number of unfortunate stumbles and lapses in story and acting prowess. Rated 1.5 out of 5 stars 09/23/24 Full Review jake h There is no such thing as a movie critic. Just a person's response to a movie picture withe audio, this movie holds a very poignant feeling in my heart I watched it during shitty time, movies should not be judged, you like it cool ya don't that's fine to, ppl who make a living off this go get a real job like a bricky or labourer a chef like myself. Makes me sad like ape man that this is even a thing. Rated 5 out of 5 stars 12/19/24 Full Review Read all reviews
Instinct

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Cast & Crew

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Jon Turteltaub

Director

Anthony Hopkins

Ethan Powell

Cuba Gooding Jr.

Theo Caulder

Donald Sutherland

Ben Hillard

Maura Tierney

Lynn Powell

George Dzundza

Dr. John Murray

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Instinct

Instinct (1999) Instinct (1999) Instinct (1999) Instinct (1999) View more photos

Movie Info

Synopsis Years after he goes missing in the jungles of Africa, anthropologist Ethan Powell (Anthony Hopkins) resurfaces when it's discovered that he has murdered two poachers who were killing the gorillas he was studying. After spending an extended time living with the primates and without any human contact, Powell seems to be unhinged, and psychiatrist Theo Caulder (Cuba Gooding Jr.) is called in to try to get through to the withdrawn and angry man -- who may be wiser and saner than he appears.
Director
Jon Turteltaub
Producer
Barbara Boyle, Michael Taylor, Hunt Lowry
Screenwriter
Gerald Di Pego, Gerald Di Pego
Distributor
Buena Vista International [us], Toho Company Ltd., Filmes Lusomundo, Aurum Producciones S.A. [es], Gaumont [fr], Buena Vista Pictures
Production Co
Touchstone Pictures, Spyglass Entertainment
Rating
R
Genre
Drama
Original Language
English
Release Date (Theaters)
Jun 4, 1999, Wide
Release Date (Streaming)
Apr 27, 2020
Box Office (Gross USA)
$34.1M
Runtime
2h 3m
Sound Mix
Surround, Dolby SRD, DTS, SDDS
Aspect Ratio
Scope (2.35:1)