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MOVIE DECISION GUIDE
Basic Instinct
CAST & DIRECTOR
Directed by Paul Verhoeven. With Michael Douglas, Sharon Stone, George Dzundza.
70/100
TMDB RATINGWHAT IT'S ABOUT
Catherine, a novelist with an insatiable sexual appetite, becomes a prime suspect when her boyfriend is brutally murdered -- a crime she had described in her latest story.
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70/100
TMDB RATINGYOUR WATCHLISTCatherine, a novelist with an insatiable sexual appetite, becomes a prime suspect when her boyfriend is brutally murdered -- a crime she had described in her latest st…
MAKE THE CALL
Does this belong in your night?
A decision, not a review. Choose the kind of night you want and keep your queue honest.
RELEASE SNAPSHOT
Release snapshot for Basic Instinct.
MoviHero lists March 20, 1992 as the release date for Basic Instinct. Paul Verhoeven is the listed director. The listed cast includes Michael Douglas as Detective Nick Curran, Sharon Stone as Catherine Tramell, George Dzundza as Gus, Jeanne Tripplehorn as Dr. Beth Garner. A trailer and 5 stills are available on this page.
Release dateMarch 20, 1992
GenresMystery · Thriller
Runtime2h 8m
DirectorPaul Verhoeven
CastMichael Douglas as Detective Nick Curran, Sharon Stone as Catherine Tramell, George Dzundza as Gus, Jeanne Tripplehorn as Dr. Beth Garner
TrailerAvailable on this page
Images5 stills
BEFORE YOU PRESS PLAY
Is Basic Instinct right for tonight?
Pacing, attention and emotional impact are estimates from the current MoviHero Watch Profile, not verified scene-by-scene reviews.
How much time should I set aside?
Basic Instinct runs 2h 8m. Allow extra time for breaks.
Is it slow or fast?
The current MoviHero pacing estimate is 6/10: a middle-ground pace.
Is it a good choice when I am tired?
The attention estimate is 6/10. Expect to follow the story rather than use it as background viewing.
How emotionally intense is it?
The emotional-impact estimate is 4/10, suggesting a lighter emotional load. This does not tell you whether the ending is happy or sad.
CHANGE ONE THING
Like this, but...
These share a listed genre with Basic Instinct. Profile differences are estimates, not a guarantee of the same story or mood.
RATING & SOURCE
TMDB audience rating
TMDB: 70/100 (7/10) from 4,566 votes. Updated Oct 9, 2026.
External ratings are converted directly to /100. We add no popularity, metadata or Watch Profile bonuses. MoviHero audience ratings are calculated separately from numerical ratings submitted here.
MOVIHERO AUDIENCE RATING
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CHECK AVAILABILITY
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OPTION 2
Other ways to watch Basic Instinct
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United States
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WHAT WATCHING IT FEELS LIKE
Watch Profile
Seven estimates of the viewing experience, based on the stored Watch Profile. These are separate from the movie rating and are not verified scene-by-scene assessments.
Pacing6/10
Emotional Impact4/10
Mind-Bending5/10
Scary2/10
Violence6/10
Rewatchability5/10
Attention Required6/10
WATCH A PREVIEW
Trailer
A CLOSER LOOK
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CAST & CREW
The people who make it land.
CHARACTERS IN THIS MOVIE
Follow the character.
Reviewed MoviHero character guides connected to this movie.
otherDetective Nick CurranDetective Nick Curran in Basic Instinct (1992), played by Michael Douglas.Open character guide otherCatherine TramellCatherine Tramell in Basic Instinct (1992), played by Sharon Stone.Open character guide otherGusGus in Basic Instinct (1992), played by George Dzundza.Open character guide
SIMILAR GENRES & STORY THEMES
Keep the night going.
72/100
MOVIHERO ESTIMATEMelancholy
2026·Mystery · Thriller
72/100
MOVIHERO ESTIMATEPOSSESSION: The Darkness Within
2026·Mystery · Thriller · Action
72/100
MOVIHERO ESTIMATEKARAOKILL
2026·Mystery · Thriller · Comedy