Basic Instinct is a erotic thriller film directed by Paul Verhoeven and written by Joe Eszterhas. He begins an intense relationship with Catherine Tramell Stone , an enigmatic writer and the prime suspect.
The script was developed by Eszterhas in the s, and it became the subject of a bidding war. Carolco Pictures secured the rights to the film and brought Verhoeven on board to direct. Stone was cast as Tramell after the role was rejected by several actresses. Production was plagued by protests and intense conflict between Eszterhas and Verhoeven.
It also generated controversy due to its sexually explicit content, violence, and depiction of homosexual relationships. Since its release, Basic Instinct has undergone a critical reevaluation. The film has been recognized for its groundbreaking depictions of sexuality in mainstream Hollywood cinema , and was described by one scholar as "a neo- film noir masterpiece that plays with, and transgresses, the narrative rules of film noir. A sequel, Basic Instinct 2 , was released 14 years later in The film stars Stone, but was made without the involvement of Verhoeven or Douglas.
It received negative reviews and was relatively unsuccessful. 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. Detective Nick Curran and his partner, Gus Moran, investigate the murder. The prime suspect is Boz's girlfriend, the crime novelist Catherine Tramell, whose novel mirrors the crime.
Catherine is uncooperative and taunts the investigators by smoking and exposing herself. Although she is released, Nick discovers that she has a history of befriending murderers. This includes Roxy Hardy, Catherine's girlfriend, who killed her two younger brothers at the age of 16, and Hazel Dobkins, who killed her husband and children.
