Content warning: This discussion includes references to sexual violence.

BASIC INSTINCT superfan and longtime Trylon volunteer Kelly Krantz says it is “THE erotic thriller.” And she’s probably right! But what makes the tale of Catherine Tramell (Sharon Stone) and her quarry, Nick Curran (Michael Douglas), the ultimate in a genre defined by extremes and titillating taboo? We’re here to find out!

Our discussion digs into the essential Paul Verhoeven-ness of BASIC INSTINCT, the true motivations of the two headstrong leads, who’s really the victim in their psychosexual mind games, and then close with some skunk trivia (in fitting with a “you know it smells crazy in there” motif).

Find Kelly…

• On Twitter at @kransekage_

• On Letterboxd at @luckyhoss

• On Trylove episodes: WINGS OF DESIRE (1987), ARREBATO (1979), PHANTOM OF THE PARADISE (1974), REVOLVER (1973), THE DOOM GENERATION (1995), THE NIGHT PORTER (1974), REMEMBER MY NAME (1978), PLAY IT AS IT LAYS (1972), OUTLAND (1981)

References:

• “Male Hysteria; or, Fear of Magna Cum Laude Pussy” by Devin Bee for Perisphere, the Trylon blog

• Basic Instinct (Erotic 90’s, Part 6) (May 1, 2023) by You Must Remember This

• WE KILL FOR LOVE (2023) on Vinegar Syndrome

• The Wikipedia page for “Ice pick”

• Give to the Trylon’s Film Forever Fund so they never have to increase ticket prices!

• Check the calendar, preview upcoming series, and buy tickets

• Contribute to Perisphere, the Trylon blog

#SharonStoneDoesn’tCareWhatYouThink #DCP

Follow us on Twitter at @trylovepodcast, Bluesky at @trylovepodca.st, and email us at trylovepodcast@gmail.com to get in touch!

Show art by Emily Csuy. Theme: "Raindrops" by Huma-Huma/"No Smoking" PSA by John Waters. Outro music: “Main Theme” composed by Jerry Goldsmith from the BASIC INSTINCT soundtrack.

Timestamps

0:00 - Episode 360: BASIC INSTINCT (1992)

2:58 - The episode actually starts

6:56 - The Patented Aaron Grossman Summary

10:20 - Background on the erotic thriller

16:14 - A metatextual take on erotic thrillers

20:23 - Michael Douglas and Sharon Stone

26:39 - Catherine Tramell “wants to be proven wrong”

37:40 - What does Nick Curran actually want?

41:55 - The Activation of Nick Curran

45:45 - Does Nick want to BECOME Catherine?

52:57 - How this movie plays with the femme fatale trope

59:58 - Beth, the victim of two different lovers

1:08:25 - The Junk Drawer

1:27:40 - To All the Loves We’ve Tried Before: 1992

1:34:22 - Cody’s Noteys: Ba-Skunk In-Stink (skunk trivia)