Instinct (1999)

27% of critics liked it
(66 reviews)
66% of users liked it
(30,167 ratings)

A man who leaves humanity behind to live with animals returns to society under unpleasant circumstances, but with valuable lessons about human and animal relationships. Anthony Hopkins stars as Ethan Powell, a noted anthropologist studying the behavior of mountain gorillas in Rwanda. The longer… More A man who leaves humanity behind to live with animals returns to society under unpleasant circumstances, but with valuable lessons about human and animal relationships. Anthony Hopkins stars as Ethan Powell, a noted anthropologist studying the behavior of mountain gorillas in Rwanda. The longer Powell follows the apes, the more he comes to admire their simple but peaceful society. He begins to spend most of his time with the apes until one day he ventures into the jungle and doesn't return. Powell throws in his lot with the gorillas and lives among them as primitive man once lived in the wild with animals. However, two years later, poachers kill several of the gorillas, and Powell flies into a murderous rage, killing two of the men who attacked his friends. Extradited to the United States, Powell is sent to a grim maximum-security prison in Florida, where he will be held while awaiting trail. A psychological evaluation must be performed on Powell, and the task falls to Theo Caulder (Cuba Gooding Jr.), an ambitious young psychiatrist who sees this as a case with the potential to make him famous. However, since Powell initially won't speak to anyone, getting through to him will be a challenge, and Powell's daughter Lyn (Maura Tierney) has little insight on the father she barely knew. As Caulder slowly builds a rapport with Powell, he comes to realize what Powell has learned from his experience with the gorillas -- and how much Powell can teach him about living with others. Loosely adapted from the novel Ishmael by Daniel Quinn, Instinct also features supporting performances from Donald Sutherland and George Dzundza. ~ Mark Deming, Rovi

Rating, Runtime: R, 2 hr. 3 min.
Directed By: Jon Turteltaub
Written By: Gerald Di Pego
Genres: Mystery & Suspense, Drama

In Theaters: Jun 4, 1999 Wide
On DVD: Jan 15, 2002
Studio: Buena Vista Pictures

Critic Reviews

Roger Ebert, Chicago Sun-Times
If there's anything worse than a movie hammered together out of pieces of bad screenplays, it's a movie made from the scraps of good ones.
Lawrence Van Gelder, New York Times
[Hopkins and Gooding Jr.] keep Instinct afloat on its sea of simplisms through a succession of climaxes until at last it reaches its unavoidable ending.
Rob Gonsalves, eFilmCritic.com
Yet another spiritual weepie that decries human follies and yet puts a happy face on it all.
James Sanford, Kalamazoo Gazette
anyone who goes to 'Instinct' expecting a terrifying thriller will find 'The Serenity of the Gorillas' is a long, long way from 'The Silence of the Lambs.'
Staci Layne Wilson, StaciWilson.com
A guilty pleasure.
Betty Jo Tucker, ReelTalk Movie Reviews
How sad to hear Oscar winners Hopkins and Gooding,Jr. utter melodramatic dialogue during most of their scenes together.
Pablo Villaca, Cinema em Cena
Seu título poderia ter sido 'O Silêncio dos Gorilas Sonhando com a Liberdade no Ninho'.

Read all 7 critic reviews

Critic ratings and reviews powered by RottenTomatoes.com

Fresh (60% or more critics rated the movie positively)

Rotten (59% or fewer critics rated the movie positively)

Featured Audience Ratings

♥˩ƳИИ &

Cast: Anthony Hopkins, Cuba Gooding Jr., Donald Sutherland, George Dzundza, Maura Tierney, John Ashton, John Aylward, Doug Spinuzza, Paul Bates, Rex Linn, Rod McLachlan, Kurt Smildsin, Jim R. Coleman, Tracey Ellis Director: Jon Turteltaub Summary: After a two-year stint living… More
Cast: Anthony Hopkins, Cuba Gooding Jr., Donald Sutherland, George Dzundza, Maura Tierney, John Ashton, John Aylward, Doug Spinuzza, Paul Bates, Rex Linn, Rod McLachlan, Kurt Smildsin, Jim R. Coleman, Tracey Ellis Director: Jon Turteltaub Summary: After a two-year stint living among a family of gorillas in the African jungle, anthropologist Ethan Powell (Anthony Hopkins) goes on a brutal rampage, killing two poachers. Imprisoned in a Florida mental institution, Powell becomes withdrawn, mute and animalistic. Psychiatrist Theo Caulder (Cuba Gooding Jr.) learns of Powell's condition and takes his case, hoping to unlock the reasons behind the scientist's behavior. My Thoughts: "I can sum this movie up in one word, interesting. Nothing more. The story that is being told by Dr. Powell, is beautiful and tragic. Seeing what happens to the Gorillas was hard to watch. The acting and everything else was great. I definitely recommend this one."
Lafe F

Decent prison movie with Anthony Hopkins defending the apes and his fellow prisoners in the jail. Cuba is good too.
Curtis L

Love that Hopkins. The rest of it has all been done before. I'm a sucker for movies set in prisons.
Jason O

While I was watching "Instinct," I noticed that it wasn't anything like any other movie I've ever seen. It's one of the most emotional and powerful movies ever made. I can't think of any others that even come close to the emotions that it has. I also… More
While I was watching "Instinct," I noticed that it wasn't anything like any other movie I've ever seen. It's one of the most emotional and powerful movies ever made. I can't think of any others that even come close to the emotions that it has. I also haven't ever seen any other actor that can make just a typical drama or suspense movie feel like a compelling adventure like Anthony Hopkins accomplished in this movie. I can't say who I think the best actor is because there's so many great ones, but I have to say that after watching movies such as "Instinct," "Silence of The Lambs," and "Legends of The Fall," Anthony Hopkins is the first name that comes to mind when someone asks me who I think the best actor is. Cuba Gooding, Jr. is also a great actor and does one of his best jobs in "Instinct." If you're looking for an action-packed action movie, don't get "Instinct." But if you like drama movies with a lot of suspense and you would like to hear a tale of how people can live (with animals) peacefully and without worries, then "Instinct" is definitely for you. It shows how a man is sent to prison for just taking care of his 'family.' The only reason I can think of anybody not liking "Instinct" is that they either don't like this kind of movie, or they didn't understand it. Watch this movie closely and listen to every word and it'll grasp you and never loosen its grip until the last scene of the movie. NOTE: That was my review from the year 2000. This is an awesome movie to say the leats, and one that should get much more attention.
Ginny

Re-reviewed: <center>"We have only one thing to give up. Our dominion. We don't own the world. We're not kings yet. Not gods. Can we give that up? Too precious, all that control? Too tempting, being a… More
Re-reviewed: <center>"We have only one thing to give up. Our dominion. We don't own the world. We're not kings yet. Not gods. Can we give that up? Too precious, all that control? Too tempting, being a god?" <img src="http://content9.flixster.com/photo/66/80/22/6680227_gal.jpg" width=185></center> Dr Ethan Powell (played by Anthony Hopkins) is a very bright anthropologist who went missing in the jungles of Africa, he was recently found but has gone vicious and temporarily insane. Now he faces a death sentence for several murders, and is being called "Ape Man" by the inmates. I think this is a once in a lifetime pairing, having Anthony Hopkins and Cuba Gooding Jr playing major roles in the same film, Donald Sutherland was just an added treat really. Extremely superb solid acting, the story and dialogues has something deep to offer its viewers, and for me thats always something that Im more than happy to watch and listen to every now and then. Inspired by the novel "Ishmael", by Daniel Quinn. Rewatchability: 3 1/2 out of 5 Director: Jon Turteltaub Genre: Thriller / Psych Drama
Film C

this is an ok movie its set in a mental institute and gooding jr takes an interest in hopkins character and he wants to find out why he hasnt spoken for some time and why hes actually up set and for why he murdered those peoplebut it disappoints in so many aspects the storyline isnt… More
this is an ok movie its set in a mental institute and gooding jr takes an interest in hopkins character and he wants to find out why he hasnt spoken for some time and why hes actually up set and for why he murdered those peoplebut it disappoints in so many aspects the storyline isnt great and yes you can understand that he loved his work and loved the monkeys and needed to protect them but to then become a reloose and not speak becuase of that event is just annoying !
Manu G

Good movie. When a noted anthropologist who left society to live in the jungle is imprisoned for murder, it's up to young psychologist to get through to him.
Lady D

An interesting tale, a story of trust and psychology. Not a huge fan of Cuba Gooding Jr, but he didn't do a bad job in this role as the psychiatrist. Hopkins providing another good performance, VERDICT: Certainly worth watching, not on your gonna watch over and over though
Dillon L

Some of the philosophy is nice, and Cuba Gooding Jr isn't totally useless in this movie, but the film is still pat and won't appeal to a wide audience.
Chosen 7

Good film. Great performances by Cuba Gooding Jr., Anthony Hopkins, Maura Tierney, Doug Spinuzza, and John Ashton. Good performances by Donald Sutherland, George Dzundra, and John Aylward. Great cinematography. Poetic ending. Overall it's a powerful drama which makes you think… More
Good film. Great performances by Cuba Gooding Jr., Anthony Hopkins, Maura Tierney, Doug Spinuzza, and John Ashton. Good performances by Donald Sutherland, George Dzundra, and John Aylward. Great cinematography. Poetic ending. Overall it's a powerful drama which makes you think about mankind and his dominion... "We have only one thing to give up. Our dominion. We don't own the world. We're not kings yet. Not gods. Can we give that up? Too precious, all that control? Too tempting, being a god?"
Marcus W

Even though this smacks of "give me another oscar" by Gooding, and even though it blatantly rips off Shawshank three times - including the scene in the rain, and even though it's once again Anthony Hopkins imprisoned and playing with peoples minds. Even after all that… More
Even though this smacks of "give me another oscar" by Gooding, and even though it blatantly rips off Shawshank three times - including the scene in the rain, and even though it's once again Anthony Hopkins imprisoned and playing with peoples minds. Even after all that it is still enjoyable - though simple, and it does avoid a potentially very easy love story that most writers would chuck in. Flawed, but watchable.

Read all 11 featured audience ratings

Cast

Anthony Hopkins
as Dr. Ethan Powell
Cuba Gooding Jr.
as Dr. Theo Caulder
Donald Sutherland
as Ben Hillard

Maura Tierney
as Lyn Powell
George Dzundza
as Dr. John Murray
John Aylward
as Warden Keefer

See full cast