Some works become cult was very transgressive for their time. This is the case of this thriller, to be seen on Netflix, which has remained in the memories since its release in 1992.
The history of the seventh art is punctuated by works deemed transgressive for their time, which shocked the public when they left or were even censored for certain scenes, before posterity restored them and makes cinema classics. This is the case of this thriller, released in 1992, which aroused controversy in the United States while becoming one of the most profitable films of the 1990s.
Several controversies marred the film at that time, even before its release. Many reproached him for his explicit erotic scenes, the caricatural way in which homosexual relations and the biphobic representation are described therein. When it was released in the United States, 42 seconds were censored (mainly shortened, even removed), among which scenes deemed too violent or too explicit in their depiction of sexual intercourse.
Released in 1992, Basic Instinct Stages Michael Douglas in the role of a police officer with a troubled past, who is investigating a series of violent murders. His main suspect: a provocative and attractive novelist, played by Sharon Stone.
It was this film that revealed the actress as one of the Hollywood sex symbols, with the scene where her character, without underwear, crosses and decrees the legs in the middle of an interrogation. This scene, partly censored at its American release, also made controversial, since the actress was not aware that her intimacy would be visible in the film, the director pretending that it was to avoid a clear spot on the film .
But since then, Paul Verhoeven’s film has become a classic of erotic thriller, thanks to its international criticisms and its commercial success. The feature film was also appointed to the Oscars and the Golden Globes. So much so that a suite was born in 2006, without Michael Douglas.
If you are curious, know that Basic Instinct is available for purchase and rental on most VOD sites. It has also been posted on the Netflix streaming platform since February 14, 2025.