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Basic Instinct (1992)

R | | Drama, Mystery, Thriller | 20 March 1992 (USA)
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A violent police detective investigates a brutal murder, in which a manipulative and seductive novelist could be involved.

Director:

Paul Verhoeven

Writer:

Joe Eszterhas

Stars:

Michael Douglas, Sharon Stone, George Dzundza | See full cast & crew »
41
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Popularity
845 ( 236)
Nominated for 2 Oscars. Another 5 wins & 21 nominations. See more awards »

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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 Bill Cable ... Johnny Boz
See full cast »
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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. Written by Soumitra

Plot Summary | Plot Synopsis

Plot Keywords:

no panties | erotic thriller | bisexual woman | manipulation | lesbian kiss | See All (76) »

Taglines:

A brutal murder. A brilliant killer. A cop who can't resist the danger. See more »

Genres:

Drama | Mystery | Thriller

Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated R for strong violence and sensuality, and for drug use and language | See all certifications »

Parents Guide:

View content advisory »
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Details

Official Sites:

Sony Movie Channel [United States]

Country:

France | USA | UK

Language:

English

Release Date:

20 March 1992 (USA) See more »

Also Known As:

Love Hurts See more »

Filming Locations:

Carmel, California, USA See more »
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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
See more on IMDbPro »

Company Credits

Production Co:

Carolco Pictures, Canal+ See more »
Show more on IMDbPro »

Technical Specs

Runtime:

| (unrated)

Sound Mix:

Dolby SR | LC-Concept Digital Sound (France)

Color:

Color (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

2.39 : 1
See full technical specs »
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Did You Know?

Trivia

The movie completely ignored DNA, which had been used in criminal investigations since the mid-1980s. The film was set in the year of its release (1992), by which time DNA was constantly being used for crime investigations. See more »

Goofs

When the black Lotus Esprit crashes through the barricade, the high beams are off. As we see it come through the barricade from below, the high beams are on. See more »

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.
See more »

Alternate Versions

In the DVD version of the director's cut, a brief shot of the ice pick moving up and down with blood flying during the elevator murder is replaced with a shot from behind the killer. The video version of the director's cut contains the former scene. See more »

Connections

Featured in WatchMojo: Top 10 Movie Oral Sex Scenes (2015) See more »

Soundtracks

Blue
Written and Performed by LaTour
Courtesy of Smash Records
See more »

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What are the differences between the theatrical cut and the unrated Director's Cut?
Q: What is the film playing in the background on TV that Nick is watching?
Q: What is the basic instinct?
See more »

User Reviews

 
Silly, enjoyable thriller with loads of stupid porno sex
4 December 2006 | by CalDexter – See all my reviews

I was 16 years old when i first saw Basic Instinct in 1992. For a mainstream Hollywood film its sex scenes were really explicit and shocking. Now its rather tame compared to the other violent and sex mad movies which have surfaced in the last 14 years.

Some of the film is still entertaining, but i just found Michael Dougla's Nick Curran a pain in the ass imbecile who lets Sharon Stone's Catherine Trammell wind him up big time. And the nightclub scene is one of the best laughs in the movie. Dougla's V neck sweater is a fashion disaster and the way he pulls Stone towards him while they are dancing would make any other woman break his jaw.

Still its enjoyable mindless rubbish that does not get better with each viewing.
15 of 22 people found this review helpful.  Was this review helpful to you? | Report this
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