Paul Verhoeven

From the arthouses of Amsterdam to the multiplexes of Hollywood, Paul Verhoeven has made a career out of pushing buttons—and boundaries.

In this limited series, we trace the evolution of one of cinema’s most provocative filmmakers. From his early Dutch films to his explosive American hits, we follow Verhoeven’s wild career trajectory through medieval chaos (FLESH + BLOOD), sci-fi satire (ROBOCOP, TOTAL RECALL, STARSHIP TROOPERS), erotic thrillers (BASIC INSTINCT), notorious flops (SHOWGIRLS), and genre-defying cult favorites.

Along the way, we examine how Verhoeven’s blend of graphic violence, sexuality, and sharp social critique made him both a critical lightning rod and a subversive genius. Whether he’s dissecting American fascism, media culture, or sexual power dynamics, Verhoeven never pulls punches—and neither do we.

This is the story of sex, violence, controversy... and one of the most misunderstood filmographies in modern cinema.