This 2019 Movie With 'Game of Thrones' Star Is One of the Most Underrated Mystery Thrillers
It's a provocative and terrifyingly realistic thriller about a therapist who becomes entangled in a dangerous game with a charismatic psychopathic patient.
In 2019, Instinct, the debut film of Dutch director Halina Reijn, hit theaters. Three years later, Reijn became a regular creative partner at A24, directing the hit slasher Bodies Bodies Bodies and Babygirl, starring Nicole Kidman.
Nevertheless, Instinct, starring Game of Thrones actress Carice van Houten, remains Reijn's most profound and personal exploration of female psychology.
What Is 'Instinct' About?
The ambitious psychotherapist Nicoline takes a job at a mental health clinic where she meets her first patient, Idris, an attractive young man convicted of multiple incidents of sexual violence.
Idris is in the final stages of rehabilitation and is about to be released. The hospital staff sincerely believes that he will improve. However, Nikolin is convinced that Idris has simply become more cunning – he has learned to gain the trust of, and manipulate, even trained professionals.
With each new session, Idris' charms become more powerful, and their relationship begins to escalate, taking on sexual overtones.
'Instinct' Is Both a Psychological Provocation & an Exploration of the Nature of Women
Instinct is a movie that isn't afraid to ask uncomfortable questions. Halina Reijn explores the experience of intimate relationships from a variety of angles, and she has always been fascinated by the dynamics of power and sex.
Unlike classic 90s erotic thrillers, where main female characters were usually femme fatales – dangerous, unpredictable, and sometimes crazy – Reijn offers a more complex and realistic portrayal.
She presents the perfect provocation: a woman who chooses an abusive relationship rather than becoming its unwitting victim. There's not a hint of victim blaming here, only an honest exploration of patterns to which human nature is prone.
Reijn doesn't explain the hidden motives behind Idris' cruelty or romanticize his violent nature. Instead, she focuses on Nicoline's internal struggle as she tries to maintain professional distance but gradually loses control of the situation.
The Outstanding Performances by Carice van Houten & Marwan Kenzari Are What Make 'Instinct' So Tense
Carice van Houten, known for her role as Melisandre in Game of Thrones, gives one of the most powerful and underrated performances of her career. Nicoline is a complex and contradictory character who evokes both sympathy and anxiety.
Marwan Kenzari is also impeccable as Idris. His character doesn't come across as a classic abuser who is aggressive, rude, and tactless. Instead, he's a charismatic man who doesn't feel the need to feign masculinity.
The dynamic between Nicoline and Idris is a tense dance, with each trying to outsmart the other.
Instinct is a must-see for fans of psychological thrillers, those interested in complex female characters, and anyone who wants a movie that asks the right questions without offering easy answers.
What Did Critics & Viewers Think of 'Instinct'?
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Instinct has 80% from critics and 57% from viewers on Rotten Tomatoes.
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On IMDb, the movie has a score of 6.0/10.
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On Letterboxd, Instinct scored 3.1/5.0.
Where to Watch 'Instinct'?
Instinct is available to buy or rent on Apple TV and Amazon Prime Video.
