Basic Instinct/YMMV


 * Alternative Character Interpretation: There is much debate amongst fans of the film whether Beth is an innocent victim or an evil Femme Fatale. There is also debate whether the first scene of Nick and Beth in her apartment is sex or date rape.
 * Also, it's not a hundred percent clear even at the end that Catherine is a murderess. Did she do it? Any of the killings? Will she kill Nick? Or was it Beth all along?
 * Complete Monster: Catherine seduces men, manipulates'em for her own amusement and then kills'em for money or probably for pure fun and knows exactly how evading the laws and getting away with her crimes.
 * Everybody Remembers the Stripper: Catherine's interrogation, during which she recrosses her legs while wearing an extremely short skirt with no panties. Long-distance gynecology, anyone?
 * Evil Is Sexy: When it's played by Sharon Stone, anyway. Roxy also qualifies for this trope.
 * Magnificent Bitch: Catherine
 * No Such Thing As Bad Publicity: Gay rights activists protested against the film, feeling that it perpetuates homophobic stereotypes. It became on of the highest-grossing movies of the year.