Content Warning: This article contains references and discussions murder, sexual violence, and Nazism
With his latest feature Benedetta hitting MUBI on July 1st, and several projects kept on the backburner, the 83-year-old Paul Verhoeven is telling the world that he's still got it in him.
The role of a provocateur is to push an audience's buttons. Well, an audience has a lot of buttons, and Paul Verhoeven has a lot of fingers. For decades, Verhoeven has been pushing the boundaries of taste and taboo. His movies are violent, scandalous, and seductive, as well as an awful lot of fun. And these ten movies are, according to IMDb, his best.
Note: IMDb lists are live, and gather votes on a regular basis, so the order of this list may vary since the date of publication.
Benedetta (2021) - 6.8
A scintillating tale of Catholicism and corruption in the 17th century, the movie follows its titular character, a nun "blessed" with visions of Christ, as she becomes entangled in an illicit love affair with another nun.
Verhoeven is known for his erotic thrillers, and Benedetta shows he still knows what he is doing. The chemistry between the two leads, is electric, lending to some scenes that are sure to get the heart pounding. It also poses profound questions about religious hypocrisy and morality - ones that the audience will ponder long after the movie is over.
Basic Instinct (1992) - 7.0
Another sensuous slice of cinema, Basic Instinct follows Nick Durran, a police detective investigating a brutal murder, as he is trapped in a passionate affair with the main suspect, a writer named Catherine Tramell.
It's a slick, sleazy thriller, and it still has the power to shock. Although the explicit depictions of sex and violence have certainly wandered into the realms of bad taste, particularly the notorious interrogation scene, there's little denying the movie's staying power due to the shocking twists and turns to keep fans guessing. However, there is one thing that is quite important to note - this is not a movie cinephiles will want to watch with their parents.
Turkish Delight (1973) - 7.1
Turkish Delight, known as Turks Fruit in the Netherlands, was adapted from the novel of the same name. Verhoeven's big-screen debut, the movie follows a young woman who, after picking up a hitchhiking sculptor, embarks on a tempestuous romance with him.
The director's break-out hit, Turkish Delight still has value nearly 50 years on. It's an engaging romance story with sizzlingly-good chemistry. The late, great Rutger Hauer, who would go on to appear in 1982's Blade Runner, makes his big-screen debut here. It also marks the starting point for a lot of Verhoeven's trademarks, such as his obsessions with sexuality and violence.
Elle (2016) - 7.1
Winning 'Best Foreign-Language Film' at the Golden Globes, Elle follows its titular character who, after being raped in her own home, refuses police assistance due to her past experiences with the organization.
Subverting the conventional revenge movie formula, Elle received a divisive reception among the critics and audience. While many praised Isabelle Huppert's performance, believing that she made Elle a fascinating character study, there was a lot of controversy surrounding the plot, with critics, such as The Guardian's Bidisha, condemning the way Verhoeven's movie disregarded survivors of sexual violence and perpetuated misogynistic ideas.
The Fourth Man (1983) - 7.2
The Fourth Man tells the story of Gerard, a bisexual writer who, after falling in love with Christine, is plagued by unsettling visions. These visions lead to him believing that Christine plans on murdering him, making him the eponymous 'fourth man.'
The Fourth Man was another box-office success for Verhoeven, but significantly more so overseas; it became the highest-grossing Dutch film of all time in the US (according to Variety magazine, January 1991). It's a compelling thriller with a hypnotic, dreamlike quality, and there's enough symbolic imagery to please the arthouse crowd. An ideal choice for fans of surreal movies.
Starship Troopers (1997) - 7.3
Reuniting him with scriptwriter Ed Neumeier, co-writer of 1987's Robocop, Starship Troopers follows Johnny Rico, a soldier in the mobile infantry. The movie tracks his exploits as he works his way up the ranks, fighting in the war against the Arachnids, a hostile alien lifeform.
Starship Troopers may seem simple on the surface, with its cookie-cutter characters and questionable acting. However, there's more to this action movie than meets the eye. It's a searingly-effective critique of fascist propaganda, satirizing promotional adverts and campaigns that are seen everywhere. Sadly, many critics still dismiss it today, showing how misunderstood Verhoeven's work has been.
Total Recall (1990) - 7.5
Adapted from a short story by Philip K. Dick, Total Recall is a gloriously-gory action flick. It follows construction worker Douglas Quaid, played by Arnold Schwarzenegger, who finds himself thrust into a real-life secret agent fantasy.
Total Recall is Verhoeven at his B-movie best. Its dark humor with explosions of violence amongst all the action sequences are a blast to watch. Schwarzenegger is his typically-hammy self, whilst Sharon Stone has a memorable turn as Douglas' wife. Fans of action movie one-liners are in for a treat with this one.
Soldier Of Orange (1977) - 7.6
His third feature film, Soldier Of Orange is a war flick set during World War II. The plot centers around the German occupation of the Netherlands, following a wide array of students and their different rules during the war.
A big-budget extravaganza of the finest order, Soldier Of Orange is a true epic. It's got a stellar cast, like the aforementioned Rutger Hauer, who has several appearances in Verhoeven's work. It also has an uplifting message of resistance against tyranny, as shown through the struggles of the students who fought back.
Robocop (1987) - 7.6
Verhoeven's most famous work, and some would say his best, Robocop. The movie follows Alex Murphy, a cop who, after being murdered by a group of vicious thugs, is bought back as Robocop. Now part man and machine, he exacts his own brand of justice.
There's so much to say about Robocop. Peter Weller is iconic in the lead role; it takes a lot of talent to make an audience empathize with a machine. The script is darkly hilarious, offering up laughs that an audience will surely feel ashamed about. And, if that wasn't enough, it's got some of the most memorable action sequences ever put to film.
Black Book (2006) - 7.7
Verhoeven's Black Book follows Rachel, a young Jewish woman, played by Game Of Thrones star Carice Van Houten, who becomes a spy for the resistance during World War 2, due to a personal tragedy involving the Nazis.
Voted the best Dutch film ever in a public poll in 2008 (via The Hollywood Reporter), Black Book is a masterful display of Verhoeven's abilities as a director and as a storyteller. It is a lavish, extravagant drama, full to the brim with memorable characters and exceptional performances. Carice Van Houten, in particular, does a terrific job in the lead role. It's one fans of Verhoeven's work can't miss.