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Instinct

Directed by Halina Reijn

Not Rated

2019 1h 38mDrama, Thriller,

6.080%56%

Nicoline, a criminal psychologist, begins work at a prison where one of her new cases, Idris — an apparently reformed sex offender — is preparing for release after five years of confinement. Despite her professional misgivings, she becomes infatuated with her charismatic, manipulative patient.

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Cast of Instinct

Carice van HoutenNicoline
Marwan KenzariIdris
Marie-Mae van ZuilenMarieke
Pieter EmbrechtsAlex
Betty SchuurmanMother Nicoline
Ariane Schluterdirectrice
Tamar van den DopMilly
Robert de HoogJos
Maria KraakmanPaula
Juda GoslingaKees
Felix BurlesonPiet
Kuno BakkerJohn
Erik van WelzenMan Swat Team
Matijs JansenDave
Michael BotRoy
Abdelkarim El BazTarik
Barry EmondKenny
Achraf KoutetMedewerker BK
Akwasi Owusu-AnsahWilfred
Joenoes PolnaijaShaki
Josha StradowskiMan
Hanz van der VeldeLeonard
Amber van MierloLola
Halina ReijnDirector / Writer
Esther GerritsenWriter
Laurette SchillingsProducer
Frans van GestelProducer
Arnold HeslenfeldProducer

Instinct Ratings & Reviews

Kevin WardJuly 6, 2025
Carice Van Houten is really exceptional as Nicoline, a criminal psychologist at a prison that becomes in some ways infatuated with a sex offender, Idris, played by Marwan Kenzari. Idris appears to be a model inmate and is being considered for potential unsupervised leave. Upon arrival though, Nicoline has an immediate inclination that Idris’ model behavior is merely a manipulative act to curry favor among the prison staff. But as Nicoline’s infatuation deepens we’re left to question whether her instincts can really be trusted. Directed by Halina Reijn, this is quite different in tone from Bodies, Bodies, Bodies, I was captivated and on the edge of my seat for most of this runtime. Instinct is a very different exploration and discussion on the nature of rape and consent. Though, I didn’t love the ending, with perhaps the exception of the ultimate resolution, this is an impressive debut film for Reijn and a stunning turn for Van Houten, if you can handle some potentially triggering r*pe sequences.

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Instinct (English Subtitled Trailer)
Instinct (English Subtitled Trailer)Trailer
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Why You're HereScene

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