7 films in which Sharon Stone broke taboos and redefined female sexuality

Sharon Stone is one of those actresses I grew up with. Although I didn’t follow her work specifically, seeing her name on a cast list was enough for me to assume the film was worth watching. Her genius lay in the fact that, regardless of whether a film was a critical darling or a box office hit, Stone somehow transcended it, her performance would become a separate entity, elevated by her sheer charisma.

In the world of Hollywood, where female roles were often reduced to stereotypes, Sharon Stone emerged in the early 1990s as a figure who turned all that on its head. Her roles weren’t just provocative – they were revolutionary. From the icy intelligence of Catherine Tramell in Basic Instinct to the emotional complexity of Ginger in Casino, Stone pushed the boundaries of what a female character could be: powerful, vulnerable, sexually liberated, and fearlessly self-assured. In the films that follow, Sharon Stone doesn’t just break taboos – she demolishes them with relish, carving out space for new narratives in which women are not merely objects of desire, but carriers of the story, of power, and of destiny.

Basic Instinct (1992)

How else to begin a story about Sharon Stone than with the cult thriller directed by Paul Verhoeven? In this film, Stone embodied the character of Catherine Tramell—a sophisticated, intelligent, and dangerously seductive femme fatale. The film was revolutionary in the way it portrayed sexuality on the big screen. The infamous interrogation scene became one of the most iconic moments in cinematic history, with our leading actress revealing more than what was typical or acceptable by the standards of the time. This scene shattered taboos around the depiction of female sexuality as a source of power. Catherine was dominant and manipulative, breaking long-held stereotypes of female passivity. While the film drew a great deal of attention for its provocative content, it also sparked deeper discussions about censorship and freedom of expression in cinema.

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Sliver (1993)

Soon after Basic Instinct, another thriller arrived, one that quietly aimed to replicate the success of her previous film. This psychological thriller once again explored themes of sexuality and privacy, focusing on controversial issues such as surveillance and control in modern society. Stone plays Carly Norris, a woman who moves into a luxurious apartment complex, only to uncover the dark secrets hidden beneath its polished surface. It was a time when cinema began to explore the limits of privacy in a technologically advancing world. The film presented complex and unpredictable female characters who were not merely “victims.” Sexuality was portrayed as a layered and sometimes dark aspect of human relationships.

Casino, Universal Pictures

Casino (1995)

In what is a favorite for many, Scorsese’s masterpiece, Sharon Stone plays Ginger McKenna, a former prostitute who becomes the wife of a powerful mob boss. Ginger is a woman fighting for her own power and survival in a male-dominated world, while also carrying deep wounds and vulnerabilities. Her portrayal as both a victim and a manipulator shattered the notion of women as either perfectly good or entirely bad. Ginger is layered and complex, a character who defies simple categorization.

The Quick and the Dead, TriStar Pictures – © 1995

The Quick and the Dead (1995)

This was a role I wouldn’t have expected from her and that’s exactly what made it special. The Quick and the Dead is a Western in which Stone plays Ellen, a gunslinger out for revenge. It was a rare example of a woman taking the central role in a genre traditionally dominated by men. Stone broke stereotypes by portraying a strong, independent, and fearless protagonist—one who was both brave and vulnerable, and absolutely compelling. The film helped open up new perspectives on the role of women in action films.

Basic Instinct 2, © 2006 Metro Goldwyn Mayer Studios Inc.

Basic Instinct 2 (2006)

The sequel to the cult classic, although it didn’t reach the success of the original, once again aimed to explore the boundaries of sexuality and power from a female perspective. Stone returned as Catherine Tramell, and the film faced the challenge of living up to the original’s reputation in a time when norms around the portrayal of sexuality had somewhat shifted. The film once again sought to spark conversations about female sexuality and control. Its provocative dialogue and scenes remained rare in mainstream cinema of the time. Though less successful, it retained the ambition to question and challenge social norms.

Specialist, © 1994 Warner Bros, IMDb

The Specialist (1994)

In this action thriller, Stone plays May Munro, a woman seeking revenge for the murder of her parents. The film is known for its intense sexual tension and explosive action scenes. Sharon Stone didn’t simply play a “damsel in distress”, her character is self-aware, determined, and sexually liberated, which was quite unconventional for the time. Here too, Stone skillfully blended action and eroticism in a mainstream film with a strong female lead. She delivered a compelling portrayal of a woman who uses her sexuality as both a weapon and a source of power.

Intersection, IMDb

Intersection (1994)

In this drama, Stone plays Sally Eastman, a woman caught in an emotional triangle and personal turmoil. The film deeply explores themes of love, loss, and human complexity. Sharon Stone portrays a vulnerable yet strong woman struggling with personal trauma and difficult decisions. Here, the focus is on the female perspective in themes that were often reserved for male characters, with the exposure of imperfections and vulnerabilities being rare in Hollywood dramas of that time. The film touches on the complex processes of women’s emotions and intimate relationships.