Sharon Stone is reflecting on the infamous leg-crossing scene from Basic Instinct—one of the most talked-about moments in film history—that continues to spark conversation more than 30 years after its release.
The 1992 erotic thriller saw Stone, now 67, portray crime novelist Catherine Tramell opposite Michael Douglas. The plot follows detective Nick Curran as he investigates a brutal murder, with Catherine emerging as the prime suspect and the victim’s lover.
The Scene That Changed Everything
One particular interrogation scene cemented Stone’s place in pop culture history. During questioning, her character crosses her legs, revealing she isn’t wearing underwear. The provocative moment became a defining—and highly controversial—feature of the film.
In a new interview, Stone revealed she had the legal right to remove the scene but ultimately chose not to.
“Once I had time to calm down, I didn’t make [director Paul Verhoeven] take it out of the movie when I had the legal right to,” she explained. “As the director, not the girl in the film, I understood that it made the movie better.”
Behind the Scenes: Misled About the Shot
Despite her decision to keep the scene, Stone has previously claimed she was misled about how revealing it would be. In her 2021 memoir The Beauty of Living Twice, she described the shock of seeing the unedited footage for the first time—surrounded by agents and lawyers, rather than in a private screening.
According to Stone, she was told:
“We can’t see anything—I just need you to remove your panties, as the white is reflecting the light, so we know you have panties on.”
But in the final cut, the shot was far more explicit than she had expected. The revelation reignited debates around consent, exploitation, and the ethics of filmmaking.
Lasting Impact on Her Career and Life
Stone has been candid about the personal consequences of Basic Instinct, claiming in 2023 that her role contributed to losing custody of her son. However, she maintains no resentment toward the filmmakers.
“It made me an icon, but it didn’t bring me respect,” she admitted. “What I did with what happened is exactly the way I wanted to do it. [Paul Verhoeven] and I have a wonderful relationship.”
Three decades later, Basic Instinct remains one of the most provocative mainstream films ever released, and Sharon Stone’s performance—and that scene—continue to fuel discussion about power, consent, and the lasting influence of cinema.
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