I can say that it was and is the most freeing thing I have ever done.” Even more, to let myself know that I have or had darkness within. To allow people to believe that I was like that. “It was terrifying to look into the shadow self and to release it onto film for the world to see. In her book, she writes that while it was tough, she took gratification from it. And while she recalls the role allowed her to free pent-up rage through the character, it did mean she was drawing upon harrowing memories from childhood, including being sexually abused by her grandfather.

The pair became great friends after the film but it wasn’t an easy start to a production that would prove challenging. But even before shooting began she had had the ignominy of co-star Michael Douglas refusing to test with her because, in her own words, she was “a nobody compared to him”. It gave her the opportunity to take a leading role within the cast. What made Sharon Stone slap Basic Instinct director Paul Verhoeven across the face?īasic Instinct was a troubled shoot for Sharon Stone. Its neo-noir styling, ambiguous villain, and strong female lead are qualities that help it stand out amongst other 1990s thrillers but it’s perhaps its various controversies that people remember. Indeed, it led to her physically attacking director Paul Verhoeven.Īccused of being homophobic and misogynistic, Basic Instinct has both entertained and troubled audiences. In the 2021 autobiography she reflects on her screen acting breakthrough and discusses one scene in particular that initially caused immense heartache. An erotic thriller with graphic sex scenes and bloody violence, the film turned Sharon Stone into a huge Hollywood star but at what cost? It’s fair to say Basic Instinct caused a lot of controversy when it was released in 1992.

Basic instinct scene leg cross