Basic Instinct is a 1992 erotic thriller film directed by Paul Verhoeven and written by Joe Eszterhas.

[3] The film received mixed reviews upon its release, with praise for the performances of the cast, score, and editing, while its writing and character development were criticized.

[4][5] Despite the public protest, Basic Instinct was a commercial success, grossing $352.9 million worldwide and becoming the fourth-highest-grossing film of 1992.

"[9] Numerous versions have been released on home video, including a director's cut with extended footage previously unseen in North American cinemas.

[11][12] In San Francisco, a blonde woman ties a retired rock star, Johnny Boz, to a bed with a silk scarf during sex, then stabs him to death with an ice pick.

Nick, who accidentally shot two tourists while high on cocaine during an undercover assignment, attends counseling sessions with the police psychologist Dr. Beth Garner.

Nick discovers that Catherine is using him as the basis for the protagonist of her latest book, in which his character is murdered after falling for the wrong woman.

[13][14] Joe Eszterhas, who had previously been the creative force behind several blockbuster films such as Flashdance (1983) and Jagged Edge (1985), managed to complete the script in just 13 days.

In preparation for the car chase scene, Douglas drove up the steps on Kearny Street in San Francisco for four nights by himself.

The home of Sharon Stone's character, prominently featured in the film, is said to be in Stinson Beach, California, just north of San Francisco.

[17] In 2018, the residence was purchased by software engineer Gary Vickers, who combined it into an estate with four adjoining cottages he also owned; he put the entire property on sale the following year for $52.4 million.

Debra Winger, Michelle Pfeiffer, Geena Davis, Kathleen Turner, Kelly Lynch, Ellen Barkin, and Mariel Hemingway all turned down the role as well when offered by Verhoeven and producers.

[13][25] Verhoeven considered Demi Moore,[26] but ultimately chose Sharon Stone, with whom he had previously worked on Total Recall.

[28] Michael Douglas was initially upset that the relatively unknown Stone was cast in the role, determined to have another A-list actress star in the movie with him.

The club scene prominently features "Blue" by Chicago house music performer LaTour and "Rave the Rhythm" by the group Channel X, as well as "Movin' on Up" by Jeff Barry and Ja'Net DuBois.

In 2004, Prometheus Records issued an expanded version of Goldsmith's score, which included previously omitted sections and alternative compositions for certain elements.

Initially, the film was given an NC-17 rating by the MPAA for "graphic depictions of extremely explicit violence, sexual content and strong language".

[13]The theatrical release of the film was cut by 35 to 40 seconds to avoid an NC-17 rating,[13] with some violence and sexually explicit content removed.

On Rotten Tomatoes, the film holds a score of 56% based on 77 reviews, with an average rating of 6.20/10 and the consensus that "Unevenly echoing the work of Alfred Hitchcock, Basic Instinct contains a star-making performance from Sharon Stone, but is ultimately undone by its problematic, overly lurid plot.

[47] Janet Maslin of The New York Times praised the film, saying "Basic Instinct transfers Mr. Verhoeven's flair for action-oriented material to the realm of Hitchcockian intrigue, and the results are viscerally effective even when they don't make sense.

Though Basic Instinct establishes Stone as a bombshell for the Nineties, it also shows she can nail a laugh or shade an emotion with equal aplomb.

"[49] Australian critic Shannon J. Harvey of the Sunday Times called it one of the "1990s['] finest productions, doing more for female empowerment than any feminist rally.

"[52] Dave Kehr of the Chicago Tribune also gave a negative review, calling it psychologically empty: "Verhoeven does not explore the dark side, but merely exploits it, and that makes all the difference in the world.

"[53] After the script was made available to gay rights activist groups in early 1991, concerns arose as to the film's depiction of homosexual relationships, and the portrayal of a bisexual woman as a murderous psychopath.

Others also picketed theatres to dissuade people from attending screenings, carrying signs saying "Kiss My Ice Pick", "Hollywood Promotes Anti-Gay Violence" and "Catherine Did It!

[59] The protestors attempted to rush the stage, but they were apprehended by security; two women and four men were arrested and charged with disorderly conduct and harassment.

"[52] Camille Paglia denounced the gay activist and feminist protests against Basic Instinct, and called Sharon Stone's performance "one of the great performances by a woman in screen history", praising her character as "a great vamp figure, like Mona Lisa herself, like a pagan goddess.

[70] She had been wearing white underwear until Verhoeven said it reflected light on the camera lens and asked her to remove it, assuring her that only a shadow would be visible.

[69] In her 2021 memoir, Stone again stated that she was misled by Verhoeven with regard to the circumstance of the filming of the scene, even though she ultimately did not seek an injunction against it.

"[73] In a 1993 Entertainment Weekly interview, Jeanne Tripplehorn stated that the notorious "brutal, bruising sex" between her and Douglas's character was somewhat "lighter" when described to her by Verhoeven before shooting.