It strikes me as absurd to write about committing murder and then replicate the crime exactly as portrayed in your writing—it would be akin to advertising oneself as the perpetrator. I’m not foolish enough to do that. Basic Instinct comes from director Paul Verhoeven, with a script by Joe Eszterhaz. The cast includes Michael Douglas, Sharon Stone, George Dzundza, Jeanne Tripplehorn, Denis Arndt and Leilani Sarelle. Jerry Goldsmith handled the musical score, while Jan de Bont served as cinematographer. Nick Curran (Douglas), an officer of the SFPD facing scrutiny from Internal Affairs, finds himself entangled with a blonde who seems to be both sexually driven and possibly guilty of murder—the last thing he needs. The passage of time hasn’t been gentle to Verhoeven's erotic thriller; what was once shocking—including killings like the brutal opening scene involving an ice pick—and passionate love scenes, along with that famous and controversial close-up shot, now appear silly due to awkward effects and a rather unpleasant view of Michael Douglas’ rear! There were even protests when the film first played in theaters because the LGBTQ community objected to how bisexual characters were depicted as potentially being violent criminals. Despite all this softening over the years, Basic Instinct can at least be appreciated now for what it is: an effective mystery thriller driven by strong performances from the main actors. The story’s power isn't found in the sex or violence, but rather in the development of Nick Curran and Catherine Tramell (Stone). Curran is a man on the brink of disaster, completely manipulated by the women around him; he embodies the classic film noir protagonist, so deeply involved that he will ultimately accept his destiny. Catharine Tramell represents the ultimate femme fatale—beautiful, alluring, always in command, guiding all the men exactly where she wants them to go. There's a certain appeal to the story’s construction, with Verhoeven clearly enjoying himself, probably sporting a knowing grin on his face. This is skillful storytelling, featuring a plot full of unexpected developments. It does have some dated erotic elements that might distract from the characters' strengths, but fans of neo-noir will find plenty to enjoy. 7.5/10

Source on TMDB