Basic Instinct

Basic Instinct is a 1992 erotic thriller film directed by Paul Verhoeven and written by Joe Eszterhas. It follows San Francisco detective Nick Curran (Michael Douglas) as he investigates the murder of rock star Johnny Boz, only to begin an intense relationship with the prime suspect Catherine Tramell (Sharon Stone). The script was developed by Eszterhas in the 1980s and became the subject of a bidding war, which Carolco Pictures won before bringing Verhoeven on board to direct. Stone was cast as Tramell after the role was rejected by several other actresses and production was plagued by protests and intense conflict between Eszterhas and Verhoeven.