🎯 Quick Overview
Trailer
- Director: Carl Reiner
- Genre: Comedy, Crime, Thriller
- Release year: 1993
- Runtime (length): 1h 31min
- IMDb rating: 5.7/10 (10K votes)
- Rotten Tomatoes: 17%
😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained
A lawyer/cop gets tangled in a web of adultery, insurance fraud, and mistaken identities, all while wearing fabulous red stilettos… because, why not?
🍿 Fatal Instinct: Detailed Plot Synopsis
The Complicated Life of Ned Ravine
Ned Ravine, a cop and a lawyer, is a man with many responsibilities, and a distracted personal life. He juggles arresting criminals and defending them in court, leaving little time for his wife, Lana. This sets the stage for the film’s exploration of infidelity and potential deadly consequences.
A Web of Deceit
Lana, feeling neglected, engages in an affair with a mechanic named Frank. Together, they discover a triple indemnity clause in Ned’s insurance policy, sparking a plan to murder him. Simultaneously, Ned is seduced by Lola Cain, further complicating his already precarious situation. The film cleverly uses this setup to parody classic noir tropes.
Multiple Threats Converge
Adding to Ned’s troubles, a recently released convict, Max Shady, seeks revenge on him for a past case. Ned’s secretary, Laura, harbors a secret love for him, while fleeing an abusive ex-husband. These converging threats create a chaotic and comedic environment where danger lurks around every corner.
⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained
🎬 Cast & Characters
- Ned Ravine (Armand Assante): A clueless cop and lawyer, Ned finds himself entangled in a web of infidelity, murder plots, and revenge schemes.
- Lana Ravine (Kate Nelligan): Ned’s adulterous wife, Lana conspires with her lover to murder him for his insurance money.
- Lola Cain (Sean Young): A seductive woman with a hidden agenda, Lola pursues Ned while harboring a deep-seated connection to Lana.
- Laura Lincolnberry (Sherilyn Fenn): Ned’s loyal and efficient secretary, Laura is secretly in love with him and protects him from danger.
- Frank Kelbo (Christopher McDonald): Lana’s dim-witted lover and mechanic, Frank is complicit in her murder plot against Ned.
- Max Shady (James Remar): A vengeful ex-client of Ned, Max seeks retribution after being sent to prison by him.
💬 Memorable Quotes
- Lola Cain: “You really are incredibly stupid, aren’t you? I like that in a man.” – Lola says this to Ned after he shows naivete regarding her intentions.
- Ned Ravine: “I don’t look as dumb as I am.” – Ned replies to Lola’s statement, showcasing his cluelessness.
💰Box Office
- Budget: $19,000,000
- Domestic Gross: $7,839,327
- Worldwide Gross: $7,839,327
💥 Fatal Instinct Reviews
Personal Review
Okay, Fatal Instinct isn’t high art, but it’s a fun, silly ride. I remember watching it as a kid and being amused by the over-the-top characters and absurd situations. The red stilettos scene had me in stitches! It’s a great movie to watch when you don’t want to think too hard and just need a good laugh. The performances are dedicated to the spoof genre, which is why I like it so much. It’s goofy, dumb fun.
- Who would enjoy:
- “Fans of spoof movies like ‘Airplane!’ and ‘The Naked Gun'”
- “Viewers familiar with erotic thrillers of the 80s and 90s”
- “Those who enjoy over-the-top and silly humor”
- Content warnings ⚠:
- “Sexual content and innuendo”
- “Comic violence”
- “Suggestive themes”
Professional Reviews
- Variety: “Fatal Instinct delivers a series of hit-or-miss gags that are mostly miss. The strong cast tries hard, but the humor feels forced and lacks the subtlety of classics like Airplane!
- RogerEbert.com: “Despite a talented cast, the jokes fall flat, and the satire feels uninspired. It’s a swing and a miss for Carl Reiner, who has directed some great comedy over the years.
- AllMovie: “This spoof of late 80s and early 90s thrillers may be funny for the initiated, but relies heavily on overt sexuality that overshadows its comedic ambitions. Ultimately, Fatal Instinct is a mixed bag of laugh-out-loud and cringe-worthy moments, rendering it an uneven viewing experience.
Audience Reactions
Armand Assante’s surprisingly great comedic timing and delivery!: Many found Armand Assante’s performance to be the highlight of the film, noting his unexpected talent for comedy.
The film relies heavily on spoofing the audience member has never seen.: Many people noted that in order to fully enjoy Fatal Instinct, you’ve needed to see the movies that it parodies.
Overall Consensus: Fatal Instinct is a hit-or-miss spoof that relies heavily on audience familiarity with the thrillers it satirizes. While some praise Armand Assante’s performance and the film’s silly humor, others find it uninspired and lacking in originality.
Awards
🛠️ Behind the Scenes
- “Sherilyn Fenn was initially considered for the role of Lola Cain, but she chose to play Laura Lincolnberry and suggested Sean Young for Lola.”
- “Carl Reiner makes a cameo appearance standing at a urinal.”
🖥️ How to Watch Fatal Instinct?
As of October 2024, ‘Fatal Instinct’ is available for rent or purchase on various platforms, including Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV, and Google Play Movies. Check your local listings for potential streaming options and availability as it may vary by region. Some cable providers also offer on-demand viewing.
🎥 Similar Movies
If you enjoyed Fatal Instinct, you might like these similar films:
- Airplane! (1980): Similar style of over-the-top, gag-filled parody.
- The Naked Gun: From the Files of Police Squad! (1988): Another police-themed spoof with rapid-fire visual gags and deadpan delivery.
- Hot Shots! (1991): A parody film using similar spoof comedy to create a lighthearted movie experience.
🛒 Fatal Instinct Related Products
- Fatal Instinct [Blu-ray]: A high-definition transfer of Fatal Instinct on Blu-ray. Experience the film’s humor and visuals in enhanced quality. Includes special features such as director’s commentary, behind-the-scenes footage, and deleted scenes.
- The Naked Gun: From the Files of Police Squad! [DVD]: An essential comedy film for those who like the comedic style of Fatal Instinct. Hilarious situations and dialogues will make you laugh out loud.
- Double Indemnity [Blu-ray]: One of the quintessential noir thrillers of the 1940s. One of the movies spoofed by Fatal Instinct.
- Basic Instinct [Blu-ray]: One of the quintessential erotic thriller of the 1990s. One of the movies spoofed by Fatal Instinct.
🎧 Soundtrack
Fatal Instinct features a captivating soundtrack that enhances the movie’s atmosphere and emotional impact. Here are some notable tracks:
You can find the complete soundtrack on Amazon Music and Apple Music.
🤨 FAQ
Fatal Instinct primarily spoofs erotic thrillers of the late 80s and early 90s, including ‘Basic Instinct’, ‘Fatal Attraction’, ‘Sleeping With The Enemy’, ‘Body Heat’, and ‘Cape Fear’. It also draws inspiration from classic film noir like ‘Double Indemnity’.
Whether ‘Fatal Instinct’ is a good comedy depends on your taste. Many find its over-the-top humor, slapstick, and parodies of classic thrillers hilarious. However, some find it too silly or dated. It’s best enjoyed by those familiar with the films it spoofs.
The director of ‘Fatal Instinct’ is Carl Reiner, a well-known comedy writer, director, and actor. He’s also known for directing ‘The Jerk’ and ‘The Man With Two Brains’.
🔥 Bonus Content
Fatal Instinct (1993) – Who Can Say No to a Wiener? Scene | Movieclips
Remember that hilariously awkward scene in ‘Fatal Instinct’ with the wiener? Check it out – Sean Young’s delivery is priceless, it’s one of the funniest moments in the movie!
Former Special Agent Reviews Interrogations From Movies & TV | Vanity Fair
Ever wondered how accurate movie interrogations really are? A former special agent breaks down scenes from ‘Basic Instinct’ and other films, and honestly, it’s pretty eye-opening! You will be suprised to see what is real and what isn’t.
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