IMDb > Basic Instinct (1992)
Basic Instinct
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Basic Instinct (1992) More at IMDbPro »

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Basic Instinct (1992) -- A police detective is in charge of the investigation of a brutal murder, in which a beautiful and seductive woman could be involved.
Basic Instinct (1992) -- ZuGuide.com - Trailer (Flash)
Basic Instinct (1992) -- Trailerfan.com - Trailer (Flash)
Basic Instinct (1992) -- MyMovieScripts.com - Trailer (Flash)
Basic Instinct (1992) -- Moviesbox.us - Trailer (Flash)

Overview

User Rating:
6.8/10   51,790 votes
MOVIEmeter: ?
Down 4% in popularity this week. See why on IMDbPro.
Director:
Paul Verhoeven
Writer (WGA):
Joe Eszterhas (written by)
Contact:
View company contact information for Basic Instinct on IMDbPro.
Release Date:
20 March 1992 (USA) more
Tagline:
A brutal murder. A brilliant killer. A cop who can't resist the danger. more
Plot:
A police detective is in charge of the investigation of a brutal murder, in which a beautiful and seductive woman could be involved. full summary | full synopsis
Plot Keywords:
more
Awards:
Nominated for 2 Oscars. Another 5 wins & 16 nominations more
User Comments:
Classic Verhoeven more (228 total)
US TV Schedule:
Thur. Nov. 1912:20 AMMAX   

Cast

  (Cast overview, first billed only)

Additional Details

Also Known As:
Basic Instinct (France)
Ice Cold Desire (Singapore: English title) (censored version)
Love Hurts (USA) (working title)
more
MPAA:
Rated R for strong violence and sensuality, and for drug use and language.
Runtime:
127 min | USA:128 min (unrated version)
Country:
USA | France
Language:
English
Color:
Color (Technicolor)
Aspect Ratio:
2.35 : 1 more
Sound Mix:
Dolby SR | LC-Concept Digital Sound (France)
Certification:
Malaysia:(Banned) | Canada:18 (Nova Scotia) (re-rating) (2001) | Canada:R (Nova Scotia) (original rating) | Canada:R (Manitoba/Ontario) (also director's cut) (Canadian Home Video rating) | Singapore:PG (video rating) (heavily cut) | USA:R (#31380) | Singapore:R21 (re-rating) (2007) | Finland:K-16 (video rating) (cut) (1992) | Finland:K-18 (theatrical rating) (1992) | Singapore:R(A) (cut) (1992) | Hungary:18 | India:A | Brazil:18 | Israel:18 (video rating) | Israel:X (original rating) | Philippines:R-18 | Norway:15 (DVD rating) | Argentina:18 | Australia:R | Belgium:KNT | Canada:18+ (Quebec) (also director's cut) | Chile:18 | France:-12 (re-rating) | France:-16 (original rating) | Germany:16 | Hong Kong:III | Ireland:18 | Italy:VM14 | Netherlands:16 | New Zealand:R18 | Norway:18 | Peru:18 | Portugal:M/18 | South Korea:18 | Spain:18 | Sweden:15 | UK:18 | USA:Unrated (director's cut) | Mexico:C | Iceland:16

Fun Stuff

Trivia:
According to Sharon Stone, director Paul Verhoeven asked her to remove her underwear for the leg-crossing scene, as he said they were too bright and reflected at the camera. Stone agreed to do so under the assumption that her genitals weren't visible. It was only at an early preview that Stone discovered Verhoeven chose to use this specific shot. Stone was mainly cross with Verhoeven for not discussing the matter with her beforehand, but decided to let the scene go without changes, as she felt this conformed with her movie character. However, Verhoeven's version of the conflict is that he told Stone beforehand about the leg-crossing shot, as it was important for showing Catherine Tramell's free-spirited nature and her constant drive to toy with people. Stone was reportedly excited about the idea and shot the scene. However, during the early preview, her agents supposedly disproved of the scene, fearing it would harm her future career. According to Verhoeven, Stone radically changed her mind about the shot and demanded that he remove it, which he ultimately refused. more
Goofs:
Factual errors: When Nick calls up Hazel Dobkin's police record it states that she was released from San Quentin in 1965. San Quentin has been men only since 1934. more
Quotes:
Nick: I'm in love with you already, but I'll nail you anyway. more
Movie Connections:
Referenced in "Psych: Scary Sherry: Bianca's Toast (#1.15)" (2007) more
Soundtrack:
Movin' On Up more

FAQ

What are the differences between the theatrical version and the Unrated Director's Cut?
I think I saw Sharon Stone's vagina. Am I seeing things?
So who was the killer after all?
more
36 out of 49 people found the following comment useful.
Classic Verhoeven, 1 November 2002
9/10
Author: tmensamaster-2 from Calgary, Alberta

Paul Verhoeven is one of my favorite directors. His movies are so damn entertaining. They always, well I should say most of the time, have wit and intelligence [Forget 'Showgirls' and 'Hollow Man', any director can make mistakes] and have either graphic sex or violence or both. 'Basic Instinct' is in the latter category. It is so erotic and Stone and Douglas have so much sexual chemistry that when you look at an Adrian Lyne film, you see them for the crap they are.

Basic plotline has Stone's character, 'Catherine Tramell', accused of the vicious sex murder of a retired rock and roll star. Douglas's character has a strange attraction to her, which may not lead to good things..... Paul Verhoven has openly admitted that this film is a homage to Alfred Hitchcock's classic masterpiece 'Vertigo'. In fact, Stone wears, in sequence, the same wardrobe as Kim Novak did [which makes you wonder, was she wearing panties under her clothes]. That brings us to the interrogation scene, which is the best in the movie. Stone shamelessly flirts with the cops' libidos until the buildup of sexual tension is so great, Stone releases it by playing 'peek-a-boo' with the space in between her legs. Every male viewer cherishes that scene, simply because it is so sexy. That word can be used throughout the film, as Stone and Douglas do the mattress mumbo. At the time, the sex scenes were so realistic that the press went wild and debated whether or not viewers were witnessing un-simulated sex. The film is still quite sexually daring today and has an intriguing spider's web plot too. The plot's twists and turns manage to make the movie sexier as the viewer wonders whether Sharon is innocent or guilty..........

The film's only misstep occurs at the end, with an unsatisfactory ending that makes the whole film seem like some stupid, contrived game. But it's not. It keeps it's fascination and it's sexiness and its suspense right up till the end, which is what a good erotic thriller should. Actually, the ending for some will lead to a lot of discussion if you watch the film with someone, as the film toys with two of the film's characters innocence or guilt and does not give up all its secrets.....

The film is great Verhoeven. It has his usual, hilarious, seemingly inappropriate kinky humor and extreme sex and violence to match. The fact that Verhoeven is actually able to balance the film and make it funny and sexy is wonderful film-making. Well, have I said 'sexy' enough times? Then go rent it.........8/10

P.S. If you like this one, check out Verhoevens' Dutch film ''The Fourth Man''. It has a similar plot and even a similar character that resembles Catherine Tramell. If the ending of 'Basic Instinct' leaves you wanting, check that film out. It is even better than 'Basic' and is more 'arty'. It is also a little bit more daring erotically.

Was the above comment useful to you?
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Message Boards

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Recent Posts (updated daily)User
Whoever saw Basic Instinct 2...is it worth seeing? rissypants15
Sex Scene travers_dipset
who is the murderer??? newyorker1026
WHAT WAS YOUR *** RATING ? DawnRun
most embarassing scene of all time dirtyvisage
The ice pick at the end. (Spoilers) mikemike-14
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