Instinct

Play trailer

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 is called in to try to get through to the withdrawn and angry man -- who may be wiser and saner than he appears.

Critics Consensus

A convoluted and predictable plot overshadows the performances.

Read Critics Reviews

Globe and Mail

Rated: 2/4

Mar 22, 2002

Full Review

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

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 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

Steve D

The viewer will be well ahead of the script which guts any effectiveness.

Rated 2 out of 5 stars

02/08/23

Full Review

Read all reviews

Read More

Read Less

POST RATING

WRITE A REVIEW

EDIT REVIEW

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

Show Less Cast & Crew

Show More Cast & Crew

Bringing Out the Dead

74%

70%

Bringing Out the Dead

Watchlist

He Got Game

80%

83%

He Got Game

Watchlist

Summer of Sam

50%

60%

Summer of Sam

Watchlist

Last Dance

30%

57%

Last Dance

Watchlist

Alive

62%

68%

Alive

Watchlist

TRAILER

for Alive

Discover more movies and TV shows.

View More

View more photos

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)