Basic Instinct (1992)

A violent, suspended police detective investigates a brutal murder, in which a manipulative and seductive woman could be involved.

Director:

Paul Verhoeven

Writer:

Joe Eszterhas

Stars:

Michael Douglas, Sharon Stone, George Dzundza

Nominated for 2 Oscars. Another 5 wins & 21 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Michael Douglas	...	Detective Nick Curran
Sharon Stone	...	Catherine Tramell
George Dzundza	...	Gus
Jeanne Tripplehorn	...	Dr. Beth Garner
Denis Arndt	...	Lieutenant Walker
Leilani Sarelle	...	Roxy
Bruce A. Young	...	Andrews
Chelcie Ross	...	Captain Talcott
Dorothy Malone	...	Hazel Dobkins
Wayne Knight	...	John Correli
Daniel von Bargen	...	Lieutenant Nilsen (as Daniel Von Bargen)
Stephen Tobolowsky	...	Dr. Lamott
Benjamin Mouton	...	Harrigan
Jack McGee	...	Sheriff
Bill Cable	...	Johnny Boz

Storyline

A former rock star, Johnny Boz, is brutally killed during sex, and the case is assigned to detective Nick Curran of the SFPD. During the investigation, Nick meets Catherine Tramell, a crime novelist who was Boz's girlfriend when he died. Catherine proves to be a very clever and manipulative woman, and though Nick is more or less convinced that she murdered Boz, he is unable to find any evidence. Later, when Nilsen, Nick's rival in the police, is killed, Nick suspects of Catherine's involvement in it. He then starts to play a dangerous lust-filled mind game with Catherine to nail her, but as their relationship progresses, the body count rises and contradicting evidences force Nick to start questioning his own suspicions about Catherine's guilt.

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Plot Keywords:

manipulation | no panties | bisexual woman | lesbian kiss | female psychopath | 

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Taglines:

A seductive suspect & a cop who can't resist her.

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Genres:

Crime | Drama | Mystery | Thriller

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated R for strong violence and sensuality, and for drug use and language

Details

Official Sites:

Sony Movie Channel [United States]

Country:

France USA UK

Language:

English

Release Date:

20 March 1992 (USA)

Also Known As:

Love Hurts

Filming Locations:

Carmel, California, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$49,000,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend USA:

$15,129,385, 22 March 1992, Wide Release

Gross USA:

$117,727,000

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$352,700,000

Company Credits

Production Co:

Carolco Pictures, Canal+

Technical Specs

Runtime:

127 min 128 min (unrated)

Sound Mix:

Dolby SR LC-Concept Digital Sound (France)

Color:

Color (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

2.39 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Renée Soutendijk and Amanda Donohoe were considered for the role of Catherine Tramell. Soutendijk had already played a femme fatale in one of Paul Verhoeven's Dutch films, and came very close to getting the part. However, Verhoeven realized that American audiences wouldn't be surprised if a European actress was cast in the part of the wicked and dangerous lady, so he decided that Catherine Tramell should be an "All-American" girl.

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Goofs

When Nick Curran and Gus arrive outside and enter Johnny Boz's home at the start of the film, Nick's hairstyle is combed and wavy as he goes upstairs to Boz's murder scene. When Curran walks through Boz's bedroom to examine the crime, his hair is gelled and slicked back.

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Quotes

[first lines]
Gus: Who was this fuckin' guy?
Nick: Rock and roll, Gus. Johnny Boz.
Gus: Never heard of him.
Nick: Before your time, cowboy.

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Connections

Referenced in Bad Movie Beatdown: Scissors (2012)

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Soundtracks

Blue
Written and Performed by LaTour
Courtesy of Smash Records

User Reviews

More than just sex scenes!

Sure its dirty minded, and extremely violent, but underneath all of Paul Verhoevens trademark sleaze there is a great film noir thriller to be seen. The film has a sense of an old 40's or 50's film noir, but of course with the 90's boundaries in taste and graphic nudity. The story is quite involving and there are plenty of twists and turns and unresolved endings. Michael Douglas is good in his role and must have really enjoyed film shagging Jean Tripplehorn and Sharon Stone, while it is Stone who steals the show as the writer Catherine, whose books write about murders that are apparently being copied by a murdering female. Its very steamy but the cinematography and the score are all very good and the film is more clever than merely T&A. It is a film that has spawned many inferior clones, usually TV movies starring melon chested playboy queen Shannon Tweed. ****