Since its release, Basic Instinct has undergone a critical reevaluation. Despite the public protest, Basic Instinct was a commercial success, grossing $352.9 million worldwide and becoming the fourth-highest-grossing film of 1992. It also generated controversy due to its sexually explicit content, violence, and depiction of homosexual relationships. 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. Production was plagued by protests and intense conflict between Eszterhas and Verhoeven.īasic Instinct premiered in Los Angeles on March 18, 1992, and was theatrically released in the United States by TriStar Pictures on March 20, 1992. Stone was cast as Tramell after the role was rejected by several actresses. Carolco Pictures secured the rights to the film and brought Verhoeven on board to direct. The script for Basic Instinct was developed by Eszterhas in the 1980s, and it became the subject of a bidding war.

During the course of the investigation, Curran becomes entangled in a passionate and intense relationship with Catherine Tramell (Stone), an enigmatic writer and the prime suspect. Starring Michael Douglas, Sharon Stone, George Dzundza, Jeanne Tripplehorn, and Wayne Knight, the film follows San Francisco police detective Nick Curran (Douglas) as he investigates the brutal murder of a wealthy rock star. Basic Instinct is a 1992 neo-noir erotic thriller film directed by Paul Verhoeven and written by Joe Eszterhas.

Legs crossing scene basic instinct