Paul Verhoeven is set to make his return to Hollywood with a political thriller, Young Sinner, written by Edward Neumeier (RoboCop, Starship Troopers). Verhoeven hasn’t made an English-language film since 2000’s Hollow Man. That’s not to say he hasn’t kept busy, though. Since his departure from Hollywood, Verhoeven has churned out some provocative but spectacular international films, like his latest, Benedetta, a biographical film about two nuns having a love affair in 17th century Italy, and the 2016 French psychological thriller, Elle. His 2006 war film, Black Book (2006), was voted by the Dutch public as the best Dutch film ever made.

Paul Verhoeven certainly hasn’t lost his touch and is still the legendary filmmaker known for helming iconic Hollywood movies like RoboCop, Total Recall, and Basic Instinct.

For his next film, Young Sinner, Verhoeven is working with Edward Neumeier. Young Sinner is described as a political thriller with erotic themes. In a recent interview with MovieMaker, Verhoeven and Neumeier talked in detail about their collaboration. About the plot, Neumeier said,

"Young Sinner is a political thriller set in Washington, D.C. Our heroine, a young staffer who works for a powerful Senator, is drawn into a web of international intrigue and danger, and of course there is also a little sex."

Verhoeven added, "I’m really thinking that what Neumeier and I, at this moment, want to do with this script, Young Sinner, will be an innovative version of movies like Fatal Attraction and Basic Instinct. And it would not be adding all kinds of digital elements. As little as possible." It seems like Verhoeven wants to take inspiration from the erotic thrillers of the 90s for Young Sinner. The Dutch filmmaker further revealed that he has been considering making this movie for the last decade or so, incorporating similar themes into his movies, Black Book and Elle as well. But unlike those niche films, Young Sinner will be "more explosive, and more open-minded to a big audience."

In addition to the political intrigue and erotica, Young Sinner will also have a less serious tone and will include satire. "We have been consulting with a former intelligence officer, Ron Marks, who is trying to keep us real about Capitol Hill and the spy business, but satire always seems to emerge when Paul and I work together, so I expect our new adventure will have a light tone," Neumeier said.

Verhoeven is currently busy promoting his film Benedetta, which opened in theaters on December 3, 2021. The director has been mired in controversy since the film's premiere at the Cannes Film Festival this summer. He has received both criticism and praise for the portrayal of sexuality in Benedetta. The film follows a 17th-century nun in Italy who suffers from disturbing religious and erotic visions and develops a love affair with another nun. Benedetta is a biographical film loosely based on the 1986 non-fiction book Immodest Acts: The Life of a Lesbian Nun in Renaissance Italy by Judith C. Brown.

Paul Verhoeven's new movie Benedetta stars Virginie Efira in the titular role, with Lambert Wilson, Daphne Patakia, Charlotte Rampling, and Olivier Rabourdin. Benedetta will be available on VOD from December 21. This news originated at MovieMaker.