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Basic Instinct

  • Is it age appropriate?

    About our ratings

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    Not age appropriate for kids under 16, age appropriate for kids over 17; suggested age 16.
  • Is it any good?

    3.0
  • Common Sense says

    Excessive whodunit is definitely not for kids.

Why We Rated This iffy for Ages 16–17

What to watch out for

  • Messages:

    Characters manipulate one another repeatedly, heavy drug use.
  • Violence:

    Graphic depictions of stabbings and gun violence. A rape.
  • Sex:

    Female nudity (including full frontal), male buttocks, several instances of intercourse, S&M, stereotypical lesbian characters.
  • Language:

    Mostly sexual in nature.
  • Consumerism:

    Not an issue.
  • Drinking, drugs, & smoking:

    Main characters drink and use cocaine.
 

What Parents Need to Know

About Basic Instinct

Parents need to know that this film is about a murderer who kills people with an ice pick. There are many scenes involving full female nudity and male-female intercourse. The main characters drink heavily and use cocaine, and the male protagonist sexually assaults a main female character.

Did this review help you decide?

Families Can Talk About

  • Families can talk about the choices that Detective Curran makes in the film. How might his drinking and drug use have influenced his decision-making? Families might also discuss Detective Curran's relationship with Dr. Garner. Did he treat her fairly? Was she right to risk her job for him? Parents could also talk about the depiction of Catherine Trammell. Do you think she "did it"? Do you think she cared about the detective or was just manipulating him?

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Our Members Say

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Most Recent Reviews

  1. Adult Reviewer
    Lives in Texas
    I rate this title off for age 13 and give it 3.0
    My concerns are:
    • Excessive violence
    • Inappropriate sexual content
    • Negative role models

    ,,,

    it was good but for older crowd

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