Hollywood legend Sharon Stone has made a surprising confession about her viewing habits, revealing she now fast-forwards through sex scenes in television shows. The acclaimed actor, who is joining the upcoming third season of HBO's hit series Euphoria, argues that contemporary depictions are too "blatant" and "harsh," robbing audiences of the intrigue and desire that characterised her own iconic performances.
From Basic Instinct to Euphoria
Stone, who shot to fame with her unforgettable role in the 1992 erotic thriller Basic Instinct, discussed her career and new television venture in a recent interview. She will appear in Euphoria's third season as a "legendary" showrunner, with Maude Apatow serving as her assistant. The show, set in fictional East Highland, California, has garnered both critical praise and controversy since its 2019 debut for its unflinching portrayal of teenage life, including drug addiction, mental health struggles, and complex relationships.
The Power of Suggestion
During the conversation, interviewer Gayle King referenced Stone's breakthrough Basic Instinct scene, where her character Catherine Tramell uncrosses her legs during a police interrogation. Stone emphasised that the moment's power came from its subtlety. "It was a third of a frame, it wasn't even an entire frame of film," she explained. "People were desperately trying to figure it out. This hope, this wonder, this mystery, this intrigue, this yearning is something that is what all of our profound sexuality is based in."
Contrasting this with modern television, Stone stated: "So often now, when sex scenes come on TV, I fast-forward. I don't want to see it. I don't want to have to go through all of this blatant, harsh sexuality. For me, it steals from my own imagination. And I prefer my yearning, mystery, desire. I want to keep that alive inside myself."
Personal and Professional Reflections
The actor also touched upon the personal repercussions of her Basic Instinct role, recalling how it affected a 2004 custody battle for her then-eight-year-old adopted son, Roan Bronstein. "My child was put on the stand in custody court and asked if his mother did sex movies," Stone revealed. In her 2021 memoir, The Beauty of Living Twice, she further disclosed that she was unaware of how exposed she would be in the famous scene until viewing it in a screening room.
Euphoria's Cultural Impact
Despite her criticisms of explicit content, Stone endorsed Euphoria's portrayal of contemporary youth issues. "I really think that all parents should see this show. It really is what is happening in this world," she asserted. The series follows teenager Rue Bennett, played by Zendaya, as she grapples with addiction, alongside an ensemble cast dealing with breakups, substance abuse, and mental health challenges.
On Potential Basic Instinct Reboot
Addressing reports of a new "anti-woke" Basic Instinct reboot being written by original screenwriter Joe Eszterhas, Stone expressed scepticism. Referencing the poorly received 2006 sequel, which cost $70 million but earned only $38.6 million worldwide, she remarked: "If it goes the way the one that I was in went, I would just say, I don't know why you'd do it. I mean, go ahead, but good f***ing luck."
Stone's comments highlight a broader conversation about the evolution of on-screen sexuality, contrasting the suggestive artistry of past cinema with today's more explicit television landscape. As she prepares for her Euphoria role, her perspective offers a unique insight from an actor whose career has been profoundly shaped by one of film history's most debated scenes.
