Missed some Interaction and depth. Acting it self was strong.
25 Reviews
Worth seeing but missed a bit of depth
robin_stolk30 September 2019
Okay but very predictable
euroGary19 October 2019
Warning: Spoilers
Reluctant to commit even in her professional life, Dutch therapist Nicoline (Carice van Houten) starts working at a jail. One of her charges is Idris (Marwan Kenzari), imprisoned several years ago for violent sexual offences. Nicoline is convinced the charming and manipulative Idris is still a danger but her colleagues do not agree. Eventually Nicoline herself begins to find the convict somewhat alluring.
While Nicoline falling for Idris' charms is crushingly predictable, it can at least be said this does not happen until the second half of the film! van Houten gives a good, wide-ranging performance, with Nicoline starting off coolly professional, then appalled and angered by her emotions. Kenzari has a difficult job in making Idris' manipulations obvious to the audience, but not so outrageous that the therapists' trust of him is breathtakingly unbelievable. I would not say he always hits the mark (but he does manage to look sexy despite a laughable hairstyle and the baggiest underpants I have seen in cinema for many a year).
There are times where the plot could have been tighter: Idris is implicated in the killing of the prison's pet rabbit but that does not prevent him from being given temporary release (admittedly I am not familiar with the Dutch penal system); and after a therapist is attacked by an inmate, unbelievably none of her colleagues come to see if she is all right! Those instances of sloppiness, plus the film's ultimate predictability, mean that although it was worth watching once, there is no need to watch it twice.
While Nicoline falling for Idris' charms is crushingly predictable, it can at least be said this does not happen until the second half of the film! van Houten gives a good, wide-ranging performance, with Nicoline starting off coolly professional, then appalled and angered by her emotions. Kenzari has a difficult job in making Idris' manipulations obvious to the audience, but not so outrageous that the therapists' trust of him is breathtakingly unbelievable. I would not say he always hits the mark (but he does manage to look sexy despite a laughable hairstyle and the baggiest underpants I have seen in cinema for many a year).
There are times where the plot could have been tighter: Idris is implicated in the killing of the prison's pet rabbit but that does not prevent him from being given temporary release (admittedly I am not familiar with the Dutch penal system); and after a therapist is attacked by an inmate, unbelievably none of her colleagues come to see if she is all right! Those instances of sloppiness, plus the film's ultimate predictability, mean that although it was worth watching once, there is no need to watch it twice.
Made by a woman, destined for women
wrv-1685814 October 2019
Warning: Spoilers
Director Halina Reijn is a great name in the Amsterdam theater-scene, and this is the first film she directed herself.
Technically 'Instinct' is a well-made film, without being brilliant. However, its storyline is feminist: a female prison-psychiatrist has an off-and-on relationship with a male prisoner. He is imprisoned for heavy sexual crimes, and you won't be surprised to hear that she wins in the end.
Another feature of Reijn's feminism: 'Instinct' heavily emphasizes on the many changing moods betweem him & her. With the result that you watch for 1,5 hours a story that could easily have been told in 20 minutes.
Technically 'Instinct' is a well-made film, without being brilliant. However, its storyline is feminist: a female prison-psychiatrist has an off-and-on relationship with a male prisoner. He is imprisoned for heavy sexual crimes, and you won't be surprised to hear that she wins in the end.
Another feature of Reijn's feminism: 'Instinct' heavily emphasizes on the many changing moods betweem him & her. With the result that you watch for 1,5 hours a story that could easily have been told in 20 minutes.
ambiguity as virtue
Kirpianuscus23 February 2021
Vulnerability, manipulation, loneliness, fascination of evil and a not perfect but far to be bad story. A psychologist, a sexual predator behind the bars and a relation giving more its ambiguity than explanations. Good acting, fair accents and good kick to reflect about situations and...instinct. The good point , obvious Carice van Houtten and the special aspect - the relation of Nicoline with her mother.
Someone has watched 'Elle' from Paul Verhoeven..
Natuschka794 October 2020
Warning: Spoilers
I was a bit disappointed with this movie. Sure, it is great that Halina Reijn had her director's debut and I realize this story is based on a screenplay by Esther Gerritsen, but the overall movie reminded me a lot of 'Elle',
by Paul Verhoeven. And within that comparison, Elle is the better movie. Carice van Houten is a good actress, but she suffers sometimes from playing the same way over and over. This character of Nicoline was no exception.
The same mouthy yet fragile woman with a lot of big staring eye moments and inner turmoil as we have grown used to from Carice. But when comparing the two movies, she does not compare favourably with Isabelle Huppert.
Although I had the feeling while watching 'Instinct' that she gave it a try. Marwan Kenzari (Idris) was very good though, a really convincing and natural actor.
Everyone can read the synopsis online, but what stood out for me most was the shaky ending.
spoiler: Just like with 'Elle', we're dealing with a female character here who flirts with disaster and of whom we cannot easily judge whether she is a victim or a villain here. The ending made no sense to me, because there is no way in the real world that Nicoline, dressed provocatively and with heavy make-up on, wouldn't have been recorded by cctv when going intoIdris' cell. She supposedly positions herself just under the camera in his room, as to blank what happens, but Idris' actions are videotaped and the overall picture would cast a lot of doubt on her 'rape' claim, if I were an investigator. She made it clear in a team meeting that she was the only one who wanted him locked in and not sent on release. People also must have seen how she lingered around him, not least Marieke, who was sent for transparent 'chores' more than once, so that Nicoline had her alone time with the subject of her affection. Plenty of motives, in other words. So to have her walk out of the movie like some Hollywood villain, towards the light, was just a weak ending in my opinion. One of those easy twists many movie goers seem to like, though.
Everyone can read the synopsis online, but what stood out for me most was the shaky ending.
spoiler: Just like with 'Elle', we're dealing with a female character here who flirts with disaster and of whom we cannot easily judge whether she is a victim or a villain here. The ending made no sense to me, because there is no way in the real world that Nicoline, dressed provocatively and with heavy make-up on, wouldn't have been recorded by cctv when going intoIdris' cell. She supposedly positions herself just under the camera in his room, as to blank what happens, but Idris' actions are videotaped and the overall picture would cast a lot of doubt on her 'rape' claim, if I were an investigator. She made it clear in a team meeting that she was the only one who wanted him locked in and not sent on release. People also must have seen how she lingered around him, not least Marieke, who was sent for transparent 'chores' more than once, so that Nicoline had her alone time with the subject of her affection. Plenty of motives, in other words. So to have her walk out of the movie like some Hollywood villain, towards the light, was just a weak ending in my opinion. One of those easy twists many movie goers seem to like, though.
Bad Boy Attraction
kosmasp25 November 2021
Yes there is the cliche of the bad boy with a soft side (anyone reading this I also like bunnies/rabbits and I'm available at this very moment) - and then there are even more cliches of women falling for them. No matter their profession, standing in life and/or their respective job.
But this is a bit different - it goes directions you may not expect this to go. Especially the end third is way disturbing on so many different levels. Yet the way the two main characters play it, is more than intriguing - no pun intended. I'm not sure if there are translation issues, I watched it original with subtitles, but I can say that it is a visual movie and one that lives with what the bodies of those involved tell us (do not expect too much nudity or sexual situations). There is one in particula that was quite baffling to me, because it didn't make much sense (a bunny pose from Carice) ... but it is refreshing to see that this is not as predictable as some other movies with similar themes.
But this is a bit different - it goes directions you may not expect this to go. Especially the end third is way disturbing on so many different levels. Yet the way the two main characters play it, is more than intriguing - no pun intended. I'm not sure if there are translation issues, I watched it original with subtitles, but I can say that it is a visual movie and one that lives with what the bodies of those involved tell us (do not expect too much nudity or sexual situations). There is one in particula that was quite baffling to me, because it didn't make much sense (a bunny pose from Carice) ... but it is refreshing to see that this is not as predictable as some other movies with similar themes.
Wow, thats not how it works
lftaminiau1 January 2021
Too bad, the dynamic between female therapist and male patient could have been a great set up for a movie. Im a therapist in a forensic setting and could tell you 10 stories that are real and way more interessting. They are completely missing the point in how it works and how it happens that a professional falls for a patient. Shes supposed to be expererienced at her job,but nothing she does makes sense to me, a real therapist
Pretentious AND predictable
piggelen7 October 2019
Warning: Spoilers
I was rooting for Halina...I really was, and we really tried to make sense of this movie afterwards. But, for us, it failed. Me, and my company, was bored and shrugged and snorted several times. This movie is trying VERY hard to be a kind of psychological drama where the Nicoline (Carice) is supposed to undergo a transformation from a stable, professional somewhat distant psychologist to a vulnerable manipulated little girl. There is no process, first half of the movie she is the one, suddenly she is the other by crying, sleeping in her car and going WAY out of bounds by following her patient. There was supposed to be some sexual tension between the two main character but there wasn't. Idris was not the irresistible psychopath made out to be but a manipulative whining man with puppy eyes. Meh. The Flemish actor playing Alex was a better pick to fulfill that role. Ok, so they failed telling a mediocre story. BUT apparently they knew this in editing and tried to save it by diluting the plot by inserting tons of weird cuts, super strange story-decisions , unnecessary vulgarity, sound mistakes (when observed from WAY above you wont hear footsteps clearly ), the scene with the dog? Deep stuff man...not! The weird mother-daughter relationship, I can go on and on...sigh....pretentious dribble. It's so strange: on the one hand it's a very VERY predictable story (she lets the psycho in the apartment and gets raped...surprise!) and on the other hand it makes NO sense at a lot of places. I think, with a good story, Halina has potential as a director. Just focus on an angle because this movie is all over the place trying to be intelligent and 'deep' but it was boring, predictable and just didn't work. Why the hell the critics are positive is beyond me. Carice is a great actress though and saves what little there is. Worth watching it when it comes by on television...maybe. Probably not.
Unsettlingly enjoyable
Judyokki29 September 2019
Came to see the film because of the great actors and the exciting trailer. It was actually a nice and easy first half of the film. The acting is really really good.
After a while I was wondering: who is more crazy, he or she?
Unfortunately their issues stayed a bit on the surface, it was not clear what the origin was. However, their emotional state about it was unmistakable and the acting on point.
When the film ended, I was just a bit in shock and left with a lot of questions. But I assume that was how it is meant to be.
Overall, a very good movie with some distressing, somewhat creepy elements. Worth watching!!!
mediocre and abhorrent
galahad2624 August 2020
Warning: Spoilers
A psychologist is treating a serial rapist and starts to be receptive to his manipulations and even has fantasies about being raped, and then that happens in the end. The film is exactly going where you expect it to go, which makes it utterly boring to watch. There is certainly tension as you don't want it to happen and Kenzari is great in this film by Halina Reijn - scary and dangerous. But as an audience you're put in this abhorrent position and you just don't want to watch it any further. Rape and fantasies about rape are probably artistic hip subject matters. We've seen this before, like in Irreversible, which I would call mind pollution, as it is there just to impress the audience: look what I dare to show you - all for a quite empty artistic statement. Or like in Happiness, where we had to be part of a child rapist practices. Happiness is full of masterly scenes and ideas, but the child rapist part is really abhorrent. Instinct suffers from too many cliches, mediocre or even uncredible scenes. The dog in her bed felt like a filmschool solution. The psychologist joining him in the dunes - really? Carice tries to perform her well, but the script is so uncredible and superficial that even Carice cannot entirely convince. And a 40-year-old psychologist lying in bed intimately with her mother half naked?? That was an artistically low point in the film. Instinct sends us away with the message: men are manipulative and try to overpower women, and us women are weak and dependent. We need to draw a line and the only way is to trick them into prison. Well, how groundbreaking! Instinct had a mixed reception, but the ones that gave this film five stars out of five didn't look behind the curtain.
Pretentious predictable boring
pimvleeuwen24 October 2019
Warning: Spoilers
Carice is the only reason to watch this movie. Don't know and understand why the critics love this movie. From the beginning it is clear that she has no empathy and is lost in the world and that she is a psychological mess. She gets raped, off course, by the offender. But besides it is predictable the story itself is mediocre with a lot of unnecessary elements and scenes. First half was a 6 but second half was awful. Ending could have been done by a 11 year old. It should be something about a developing relation based on patiënt psychologist which would go beyond a 'normal' relationship but it never reaches that point. Instead of that it is a long sit. It never becomes interesting and never gives exciting or New Insights. All in all very disappointing.
Waste of time
engel-8589219 July 2020
It makes you cringe and draws you to it at the same time
merelvanstraten25 October 2019
Warning: Spoilers
This was a movie that made me a bit uncomfortable and kept me on my toes. A movie I definitely wanted to watch until the end.
Reading some reviews I came to the conclusion that I had a whole different experience while watching the movie. At first I was intrigued by the personages Nicoline and Idris and the way they connected. You could easily feel the tension in every encounter. Little by little you get to know more and more about the disruptive relationship Nicoline has with her mother. The abuse she experienced (at least mentally, but there are indications the abuse was also physical) has formed her into a person who doesn't know love or how to be loved. In my opinion, this is the reason why she let Idris in. I do think she is aware of this damaged part of her. She just doesn't have a total grip on that part of her and actually kinda enjoys it too. She knows it is wrong and therefore knows that she can control the outcome. In one of the last scenes where she walks through the hallway all I see is a woman on a mission, definitely knowing what she is doing. The moment Idris falls for it, she presses the button and takes over control. So weirdly I've left the cinema feeling somewhat powerful.
Another thought I had leaving the cinema, was the fact that in the beginning of the movie Nicoline explicitly didn't want a permanent position. Did let me believe that this event might not be the first time it occurred to her. So in the end she had control the whole time. This thought contributed to the powerful feeling afterwards even more.
In conclusion, the acting of Marwan & Catrice was great! They've made sure that the viewer is constantly experiencing tension.. Besides that, the pictures where amazing! Great job from Halina.
My instinct says get out
thumbthunder7 October 2019
Pretentious amateur movie
oversmaak27 August 2022
Such a pity, the subject requires respectful direction, but that is completely lacking. What a shame and waste of time. You rarely come across a story this far from reality. Good actors cannot save it. Also very bad camerawork, you get bored by it and it. Looks like an amateur movie. Halina Reijn is a fantastic actress but no director. Such a pity, the subject requires respectful direction, but that is completely lacking. What a shame and waste of time. You rarely come across a story this far from reality. Good actors cannot save it. Also very bad camerawork, you get bored by it and it. Looks like an amateur movie. Halina Reijn is a fantastic actress but no director. Such a pity, the subject requires respectful direction, but that is completely lacking. What a shame and waste of time. You rarely come across a story this far from reality. Good actors cannot save it. Also very bad camerawork, you get bored by it and it. Looks like an amateur movie. Halina Reijn is a fantastic actress but no director.
Really bad
mikebuhrs26 June 2021
The human mind is a battleground between reason and instinct
Field7825 October 2019
I was fortunate enough to catch this psychological thriller in my big theater, because having international stars Carice van Houten and Marwan Kenzari making time in their undoubtedly busy schedules to appear in a small Dutch movie is certainly a sight to behold on the big screen. I left very satisfied, and at the same time, I understand the comments of people who absolutely didn't get this movie. It's because it is an insight into a human mind with no manual whatsoever. And at the same time, it tackles a subject that we as a society seem to get increasingly uncomfortable with.
This is Halina Reijn's directorial debut, and I find it a solid one. Although I hear criticism that this would be the kind of movie that only Paul Verhoeven could do true justice, I think that Reijn shows great restraint by not playing it safe, and trust her audience's intelligence. That some scene may be enigmatic and some character decisions seem to be questionable only makes it more fascinating in my experience. It certainly helps if you can enjoy character drama rather than a straightly-plotted thriller with a mandatory twist.
Far away from the big budgets and fantasy settings, van Houten and Kenzari visibly enjoy a smaller and technologically less complex project, for which they need their primary acting tools more than ever, and with success. Kenzari seems to effortlessly move between menacing and sympathetic, and van Houten displays such a repertoire of facial expressions that this may earn her a sixth Golden Calf at the Dutch Film Festival.
A psychological evaluation is the battleground of an intricate cat-and-mouse game between sex offender Idris (Kenzari) and psychiatrist Nicoline (van Houten). Idriss is charming and even sexy, but also extremely manipulative, and it is pretty clear that Nicoline is a psychologically scarred lady, something the movie hints to heavily without obligatory flashbacks or expository dialogue. I loved her struggle between the professional persona that she keeps up, and her almost animalistic side that comes out when she loses control. Her ratio and instinct are in a near-continuous battle, and while she is trying to resist Idris' attempts to destabilize her, it isn't always clear which side has the upper hand. Sometimes Reijn seems to take things a bit to far, with surrealistic scenes that miss their mark, but it is nice to see that the movie keeps up the ambiguity up to and including the end.
Seeing this movie on the big screen also reveals a lot about ourselves. The scenes of a sexual nature frequently elucidated nervous laughs from the audience, and comments of unrealistic character decisions afterwards. The movie makes a valiant attempt to dive into the complexity of female sexuality, which is something that society has always struggled with, especially now in the wake of the #metoo discussion. And I think it is something that should be debatable, unless we want to turn back the clock on 50 years of sexual liberation. After all, we are at the point where even Dutch movies resort to sex scenes where people keep their underwear on, and social media are systematically shaming people who feel too comfortable with their bodies or sexuality. We should embrace our human needs, not ignore them.
This film will divide the audience, but that also happened with most of Verhoeven's movies, some of which are considered classics now. Time will tell if Instinct has the same staying power, but for now, the cast and crew have made a very effective thriller about our dark human necessities. This should be the start of more open debate and less uneasy silence. And hopefully an impulse for Halina Reijn to make more movies.
This is Halina Reijn's directorial debut, and I find it a solid one. Although I hear criticism that this would be the kind of movie that only Paul Verhoeven could do true justice, I think that Reijn shows great restraint by not playing it safe, and trust her audience's intelligence. That some scene may be enigmatic and some character decisions seem to be questionable only makes it more fascinating in my experience. It certainly helps if you can enjoy character drama rather than a straightly-plotted thriller with a mandatory twist.
Far away from the big budgets and fantasy settings, van Houten and Kenzari visibly enjoy a smaller and technologically less complex project, for which they need their primary acting tools more than ever, and with success. Kenzari seems to effortlessly move between menacing and sympathetic, and van Houten displays such a repertoire of facial expressions that this may earn her a sixth Golden Calf at the Dutch Film Festival.
A psychological evaluation is the battleground of an intricate cat-and-mouse game between sex offender Idris (Kenzari) and psychiatrist Nicoline (van Houten). Idriss is charming and even sexy, but also extremely manipulative, and it is pretty clear that Nicoline is a psychologically scarred lady, something the movie hints to heavily without obligatory flashbacks or expository dialogue. I loved her struggle between the professional persona that she keeps up, and her almost animalistic side that comes out when she loses control. Her ratio and instinct are in a near-continuous battle, and while she is trying to resist Idris' attempts to destabilize her, it isn't always clear which side has the upper hand. Sometimes Reijn seems to take things a bit to far, with surrealistic scenes that miss their mark, but it is nice to see that the movie keeps up the ambiguity up to and including the end.
Seeing this movie on the big screen also reveals a lot about ourselves. The scenes of a sexual nature frequently elucidated nervous laughs from the audience, and comments of unrealistic character decisions afterwards. The movie makes a valiant attempt to dive into the complexity of female sexuality, which is something that society has always struggled with, especially now in the wake of the #metoo discussion. And I think it is something that should be debatable, unless we want to turn back the clock on 50 years of sexual liberation. After all, we are at the point where even Dutch movies resort to sex scenes where people keep their underwear on, and social media are systematically shaming people who feel too comfortable with their bodies or sexuality. We should embrace our human needs, not ignore them.
This film will divide the audience, but that also happened with most of Verhoeven's movies, some of which are considered classics now. Time will tell if Instinct has the same staying power, but for now, the cast and crew have made a very effective thriller about our dark human necessities. This should be the start of more open debate and less uneasy silence. And hopefully an impulse for Halina Reijn to make more movies.
Really, really bad
Basco-The-Dutchman17 November 2021
Annoyingly unrealistic and desperately slow
arizonastar27 August 2022
There is no way anyone will believe she is a real psychologist. Also, her character makes no sense whatsoever. It's more like a music video, since it could have been portrayed within 5 minutes. Also, it is just plain irresponsible to make another movie like this (there are countless already) in a time where rape culture and victim blaming should be talk of the day.
The movie is annoyingly unrealistic and desperately slow. It's not even sexy or thrilling. Waste of time.
The movie is annoyingly unrealistic and desperately slow. It's not even sexy or thrilling. Waste of time.
The movie is annoyingly unrealistic and desperately slow. It's not even sexy or thrilling. Waste of time.
The movie is annoyingly unrealistic and desperately slow. It's not even sexy or thrilling. Waste of time.
The movie is annoyingly unrealistic and desperately slow. It's not even sexy or thrilling. Waste of time.
The movie is annoyingly unrealistic and desperately slow. It's not even sexy or thrilling. Waste of time.
boring and not deserving belief
leen-moelker-125 April 2021
This film is one of the 2020 filmbox of de Volkskrant. Out of 11 films this movie is rated by us at the lowest point 5. Bad audibly sound - for us - and a not realistic plot, poor dialogues and indeed a predictable end. However we enjoyed the wide shots which is in favour of our overview. Acting must have been difficult with such a screenplay to follow.
Magnificent play of the most actors
k-muurling11 October 2019
A bit weird
cavandraanen13 October 2019
I think it was a pretty good movie. The acting was so nice to watch and Carice is very beautiful. The ending was very unsetisfying and leaves a lot of questions open. Some parts of the story line are also quite vague. Overall the story line was good and the movie in itself wasn't bad either.
good acting
tommer1 January 2022
The acting is very enjoyable. The story is pretty good. Constant tension. From the beginning. Will there be a (sudden) violent moment? Who has the power? Who takes it? Some scenes are weird and hard to understand. Do they contribute to the whole?
She's game
zeikwijf18 December 2023
Warning: Spoilers
Prey or predator? Is the key here. This story is unsettling on many levels. On the first level it's a therapist falling for a patient. But after seeing the end, you begin to wonder which one was the predator. Has the therapist not being up to this end from the beginning? She kept stating that this inmate was not fit for unsupervised release, but the whole team was against her. "He has behaved so well" "He had made such progress". While she saw (and described to the team) a highly manipulative man who gives exactly the right answer, the answer required to be qualified as elligible for release. She doesn't believe him for a moment. Hence plan B. Lure him to expose him. While all this time we think she falls for him, because of the old "women' attraction to bad guy's".
I think this is brilliant.
And very feministic of Halina and Esther (the writers). Beside being the actual predator, Nicoline is also a hero who sacrifices herself for the sake of potential further victims of this agressive man.
And kudos to Carice and Halina for their policy of not showing breasts. I'm all for nude (a foreigner living for decades in the Netherlands and really loving their Scandinavian guileless relation to the naked body), but then, show men nude too. As it is, it's always women that are denuded, not men. If I see boobs, I want to see penisses. When this doesn't happen, let the boobs go on strike. No penisses? No boobs.
The camera is also spot on. It's on her skin, tracking her as a prey. Superbly done Halina! I wasn't a fan of neither of you two, but I am now.
I think this is brilliant.
And very feministic of Halina and Esther (the writers). Beside being the actual predator, Nicoline is also a hero who sacrifices herself for the sake of potential further victims of this agressive man.
And kudos to Carice and Halina for their policy of not showing breasts. I'm all for nude (a foreigner living for decades in the Netherlands and really loving their Scandinavian guileless relation to the naked body), but then, show men nude too. As it is, it's always women that are denuded, not men. If I see boobs, I want to see penisses. When this doesn't happen, let the boobs go on strike. No penisses? No boobs.
The camera is also spot on. It's on her skin, tracking her as a prey. Superbly done Halina! I wasn't a fan of neither of you two, but I am now.
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