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Basic Instinct

  • 1992
  • 16
  • 2h 7m
IMDb RATING
7.1/10
225K
YOUR RATING
POPULARITY
614
76
Michael Douglas and Sharon Stone in Basic Instinct (1992)
Home Video Trailer from Artisan
Play trailer1:10
3 Videos
99+ Photos
Erotic ThrillerPsychological ThrillerSuspense MysteryDramaMysteryThriller

A violent police detective investigates a brutal murder that might involve a manipulative and seductive novelist.A violent police detective investigates a brutal murder that might involve a manipulative and seductive novelist.A violent police detective investigates a brutal murder that might involve a manipulative and seductive novelist.

  • Director
    • Paul Verhoeven
  • Writer
    • Joe Eszterhas
  • Stars
    • Michael Douglas
    • Sharon Stone
    • George Dzundza
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • IMDb RATING
    7.1/10
    225K
    YOUR RATING
    POPULARITY
    614
    76
    • Director
      • Paul Verhoeven
    • Writer
      • Joe Eszterhas
    • Stars
      • Michael Douglas
      • Sharon Stone
      • George Dzundza
    • 445User reviews
    • 137Critic reviews
    • 43Metascore
  • See production info at IMDbPro
    • Nominated for 2 Oscars
      • 6 wins & 23 nominations total

    Videos3

    Basic Instinct
    Trailer 1:10
    Basic Instinct
    'Basic Instinct' | Anniversary Mashup
    Clip 1:29
    'Basic Instinct' | Anniversary Mashup
    'Basic Instinct' | Anniversary Mashup
    Clip 1:29
    'Basic Instinct' | Anniversary Mashup
    Basic Instinct 2 Scene: Scene 3
    Clip 0:32
    Basic Instinct 2 Scene: Scene 3

    Photos241

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    Top cast56

    Edit
    Michael Douglas
    Michael Douglas
    • Det. Nick Curran
    Sharon Stone
    Sharon Stone
    • Catherine Tramell
    George Dzundza
    George Dzundza
    • Det. Gus Moran
    Jeanne Tripplehorn
    Jeanne Tripplehorn
    • Dr. Beth Garner
    Denis Arndt
    Denis Arndt
    • Lt. Phil Walker
    Leilani Sarelle
    Leilani Sarelle
    • Roxy Hardy
    Bruce A. Young
    Bruce A. Young
    • Det. Sam Andrews
    Chelcie Ross
    Chelcie Ross
    • Captain Talcott
    Dorothy Malone
    Dorothy Malone
    • Hazel Dobkins
    Wayne Knight
    Wayne Knight
    • ADA John Correli
    Daniel von Bargen
    Daniel von Bargen
    • Lt. Martin Nilsen
    • (as Daniel Von Bargen)
    Stephen Tobolowsky
    Stephen Tobolowsky
    • Dr. Lamott
    Benjamin Mouton
    Benjamin Mouton
    • Detective Harrigan
    Jack McGee
    Jack McGee
    • Sheriff
    Bill Cable
    Bill Cable
    • Johnny Boz
    Stephen Rowe
    • Internal Affairs Investigator
    Mitch Pileggi
    Mitch Pileggi
    • Internal Affairs Investigator
    Mary Pat Gleason
    Mary Pat Gleason
    • Juvenile Officer
    • Director
      • Paul Verhoeven
    • Writer
      • Joe Eszterhas
    • All cast & crew
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

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    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      No body doubles were used in any of the sex scenes.
    • Goofs
      (at around 45 mins) 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.
    • Quotes

      Dr. McElwaine: Nick, when you recollect your childhood, are your recollections pleasing to you?

      Nick: Number 1, I don't remember how often I used to jerk off, but it was a lot. Number 2, I wasn't pissed off at my dad, even when I was old enough to know what he and mom were doing in the bedroom. Number 3, I don't look in the toilet before I flush it. Number 4, I haven't wet my bed for a long time. Number 5, why don't the two of you go fuck yourselves; I'm outta here.

    • Alternate versions
      The European release is much more explicit than the American release (which had to be submitted seven times to the MPAA in order to avoid an NC-17 rating). The European version is available unrated on video in the US. The US version uses alternate, less explicit takes of several scenes to tone down the sex content.
      • The murder of Johnny Boz in the opening scene is more graphic; we see the killer stabbing him in his neck, stabbing him repeatedly in the chest, in the face and we see the ice-pick passing through his nose.
      • The scene where Nick rapes Beth is severely cut in the US version (we see ripping off her underwear and forcing her over the couch, then there's a cut to the two of them lying in bed). In the uncut version Nick pulls down his pants, penetrates Beth from behind and he apparently has an orgasm.
      • The scene where Nick and Catherine make love after going to the disco is longer much more explicit in the uncut version (Nick is seen burying his face between her legs).
    • Connections
      Edited into Y2K (1999)
    • Soundtracks
      Movin' on Up
      Written by Jeff Barry and Ja'net DuBois (as Janet DuBois)

      Courtesy of ELP Communications

    User reviews445

    Review
    Review
    Featured review
    7/10

    Unsatisfying

    There is so much here that is unresolved that it leaves an empty, unfulfilled feeling that the viewer has been suckered. Endless nude and sex scenes intrude on the mystery plot and in the end it is all for not much.

    Infamous for its explicit exploitation of said sex and nudity and forever frustrating for that's pretty much all there is. The soft-porn aside it can be a somewhat sultry, trashy ride with enough intrigue to keep the interest but not enough to make it a totally engaging entertainment.

    The biggest problem is the ambiguity about most of what unfolds. There are dangling plot elements and shallow, confusing side shows. In all, it is a murky, muddy, and thin piece of Pulp that has modern machinations and push the envelope displays of Crime Fiction laced with so much pomp that it's rendered impotent.

    The Movie has enough sizzle to attract viewers but cannot justify all the indulgence and will most likely be an unsatisfactory guilty pleasure. It is quite an overrated Film whose appeal comes from the most lowbrow lexicons of entertainment. But hey, someone once said...there's one born every minute. That's a lot of ticket buyers.
    • LeonLouisRicci
    • Mar 10, 2013
    • Permalink

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    FAQ26

    • How long is Basic Instinct?Powered by Alexa
    • What is 'Basic Instinct' about?
    • Is 'Basic Instinct' based on a book?
    • What is the basic instinct?

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • May 8, 1992 (Netherlands)
    • Countries of origin
      • France
      • United States
      • United Kingdom
    • Language
      • English
    • Also known as
      • Bajos instintos
    • Filming locations
      • 157 Spindrift Road, Carmel Highlands, California, USA(Catherine Tramell's mansion)
    • Production companies
      • Carolco Pictures
      • Canal+
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Box office

    Edit
    • Budget
      • $49,000,000 (estimated)
    • Gross US & Canada
      • $117,727,224
    • Opening weekend US & Canada
      • $15,129,385
      • Mar 22, 1992
    • Gross worldwide
      • $352,927,224
    See detailed box office info on IMDbPro

    Tech specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      2 hours 7 minutes
    • Color
      • Color
    • Sound mix
      • Dolby SR
    • Aspect ratio
      • 2.39 : 1

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