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Review: Sliver (1993)
Genre: Erotic Thriller / Mystery
Sliver, directed by Phillip Noyce and based on the novel by Ira Levin, is a glossy erotic thriller that taps into 1990s voyeuristic anxieties and urban paranoia. The film stars Sharon Stone, fresh off the success of Basic Instinct, as Carly Norris—a recently divorced book editor who moves into a sleek Manhattan high-rise where several tenants have died under mysterious circumstances.
Shortly after moving in, Carly becomes involved with two of the building’s enigmatic male residents: Zeke Hawkins (William Baldwin), a charming tech millionaire who owns the building, and Jack Lansford (Tom Berenger), a brooding writer with a violent streak. As Carly navigates her new life, she discovers that Zeke has installed surveillance cameras throughout the building, secretly observing the lives—and deaths—of his tenants.
The film plays with themes of control, desire, and the dangers of modern technology. Sharon Stone brings a magnetic presence to Carly, balancing vulnerability with self-assured curiosity. Baldwin is suitably slick and mysterious as Zeke, while Berenger adds a layer of menace to the love triangle. Despite its steamy setup and high-concept premise, Sliver struggles with pacing and tone, and its twist-heavy plot often feels more confusing than compelling.
Critics at the time were largely unimpressed, citing weak dialogue and lack of suspense. However, the film has developed a modest cult following over the years, partly due to its sultry atmosphere, stylish cinematography, and provocative questions about surveillance and privacy—ideas that feel more relevant now than ever.
Sliver may not reach the heights of other thrillers of its era, but it remains an intriguing relic of ’90s cinema that blends eroticism with techno-paranoia.
Have you watched Sliver? What do you think about its take on voyeurism and control? Let us know your thoughts below!
