The story follows Barr, a psychiatrist treating Diana Baylor (Thurman), a troubled young woman suffering from deep-seated trauma. When Diana introduces him to her older sister, Heather (Basinger), an alluring but mysterious woman married to a powerful and abusive gangster (Eric Roberts), Barr finds himself irresistibly drawn to her. What begins as an affair quickly escalates into something far more sinister when Heather becomes implicated in her husband’s murder, claiming self-defense due to a rare psychological condition that makes her black out and lose control. As Barr delves deeper into the case, he begins to suspect that he is being manipulated, leading to a series of shocking revelations that challenge his perception of truth and morality.

The film thrives on its Hitchcockian influences, particularly evoking Vertigo (1958) with its themes of obsession, deception, and femme fatales. Richard Gere delivers a strong performance as the morally conflicted protagonist, whose intelligence is ultimately his downfall. Kim Basinger is captivating as the seductive and enigmatic Heather, effortlessly shifting between vulnerability and calculated manipulation, keeping both Barr and the audience guessing. Uma Thurman, though in a smaller role, adds to the film’s psychological depth, portraying Diana’s fragility with eerie intensity.

Visually, Final Analysis is drenched in a moody, atmospheric style, with cinematographer Jordan Cronenweth (best known for Blade Runner) giving the film a sleek yet ominous aesthetic. The shadowy lighting, foggy San Francisco backdrops, and carefully crafted suspense sequences contribute to the film’s neo-noir feel. The courtroom drama elements add an additional layer of intrigue, as Barr’s involvement in the case leads to shocking betrayals and a tense, Hitchcockian climax.