Reviewer Rating: 4.2/5.0
4.2
The original 1999 film Cruel Intentions was a huge hit. It launched the careers of Reese Witherspoon, Sarah Michelle Gellar and Ryan Phillippe. This cult classic is based on the classic novel Dangerous Liaisons.
It tells the story of the complex love triangle between step-siblings Catherine Melt and Sebastian Valmont, who bet on whether Sebastian will have sex with the chaste Annette Hargrove .
Hollywood has tried many times to recreate the success of the original film. However, its sequel failed and a television adaptation has not been completed until now.
More than 25 years after the original film premiered, Prime Video will release a new, modernized adaptation on November 21st.
While not every movie deserves a reboot, this is a fun movie. They expanded the characters and personalities, added family drama, and updated the story.
The new version stars Sarah Katherine Hooker as Caroline Merteuil, Zach Burgess as Lucian Belmont, and Savannah Lee Smith as Anne Grover.
Sean Patrick Thomas returns, but this time as Professor Hank Chadwick. Sara Silva plays CeCe Carroway and Brooke Lena Johnson plays Beatrice Worth. John Harlan King and Coby Clark will also star as Bryce Powell and Scott Russell.
Let’s discuss why Cruel Intentions is a popular series today, how the series has become more modern and inspiring, and which characters have been improved in this version. We’ll also discuss the popular Easter eggs in the series.
Cruel Intentions remains a cult classic
Teen dramas were popular in the late 1990s, but Cruel Intentions ventured into new territory.
This teen drama departs from the usual romantic comedies by using psychological manipulation and sex to nourish an exciting love triangle.
Philip and Gellar are a pair of scheming step-siblings with a sizzling chemistry that borders on the wrong.
That’s why this tempting bet works so well – if Sebastian sleeps with Annette (Witherspoon), he’ll sleep with Catherine, too.
Of course, there’s an annoying little problem that arises when he develops feelings for Annette.
While the original film remains one of my favorite films, it only developed three main characters. Most of the supporting characters are an afterthought, so the show can give these characters and their arcs a little more breathing room.
How Prime Video’s Cruel Intentions Combined Nostalgia with Modernity
I was initially wary of Manchester Academy vs. Manchester Prep’s new cruel intentions, but the aging of the characters allowed them some freedom.
First, there’s a level of cruelty during sorority and fraternity rush week that resonates with the original Cruel Intentions movie.
Additionally, the aging of the characters allows the show to play out more suggestive scenes than when the main characters were still in high school.
The series begins with a bullying incident that puts all of the Greek chapters in danger. Caroline suggested that if she let Annie Grover join her Delta Phi chapter, they wouldn’t close it.
So a similar bet was made. She needs Lucien’s help, and a plan has been implemented.
Hooker and Burgess’ chemistry is so intense it’s frightening at times. Their playful expressions and sharp jabs rival those of Felipe and Guerra.
Savannah Lee Smith made Annie Grover her own person. I’d seen Smith in HBO’s “The Lady” and was curious as to how she would play a good girl rather than a bitch.
Smith has the impeccable talent to do it all. She was able to play the innocent virgin who longs to fit in.
There’s an interesting anachronism to note: While text messages and illegal videos are more in the way, everyone on this show still gets their gossip from old-school newspapers. Beatrice loved spreading scandals about the Greeks in the top newspapers.
This is in line with the way some recent teen TV series have covered more topical topics, whereas ’90s teen TV shows and movies tend to be timeless and can be rewatched often.
More LGBTQ sex scenes, college protests and family drama in Prime Video’s Cruel Intentions. It coincides with the new Lace Master. I enjoyed it more than that because it fleshed out the characters’ motivations and relationships.
It still maintains the fun, entertaining atmosphere of the original, but adds some psychological brutality.
How some of the characters in the TV series “Mr. Cruel” were perfected
In the movie version of Cruel Intentions, the supporting characters and genuine friendships don’t get much attention. There are eight episodes in total, about 40 minutes in length, and both episodes are very fulfilling.
Bryce Powell was pretty forgettable in the original, aside from the fact that Joshua Jackson played him.
In this version, Bryce hatches the conspiracy and you never know whose side he’s on. He’s a lot of fun and I can’t wait to see what he does next.
He wants to win two things – a job at a big company and the heart of his closeted gay best friend, Scott. Bryce Powell is the kind of guy who doesn’t give up easily, especially when he’s teamed up with Caroline or Beatrice. It was a terrible time.
Beatrice Voss doesn’t appear in the movie, but the show needed an antagonist, someone who hated Greeks, and Brooke Lena Johnson was great in the role. She is smart and believes in her beliefs.
A strong sisterhood also takes center stage throughout the series. Although Caroline sometimes treats Sissy as an annoying lapdog, much like Catherine treats Cecil, there is a hidden loyalty deep inside her.
In the film, Catherine doesn’t meet Annette until the end, but Caroline and Anne met early in the series and became close friends. Sometimes, it’s hard to tell if Caroline cares about Annie or if she’s just playing games with Lucien.
TV series “Heartless” adapted to add family drama
The film version focuses primarily on teenagers, so the addition of Laura Benanti as Claudia Merteuil (Caroline’s mother and Lucian’s stepmother) was a huge draw.
Benanti also recently starred in HBO’s “The Queen,” so she knows how to portray a complicated mother, but the dynamics feel almost incestuous.
Claudia seems to despise her daughter but adores her stepson, and thrives on the two’s mutual antagonism. No wonder they love competition.
Claudia wants to join the Grovers, so that’s another reason for Caroline and Lucian’s enthusiasm for Annie and her mother.
And then there’s Congressman Russell. He didn’t know his son was gay, and Bryce took advantage of this by sucking up to his friend’s father and trying to get a job.
Bryce was like part of the family and another son. These extra parts of the drama add depth to the characters’ storylines.
Which Easter egg in Cruel Intentions is the best?
As mentioned, this reboot is well done. Even though it takes place in college now, there are so many Easter eggs that it still feels like a part of the original.
It helps that Sean Patrick Thomas is part of the cast. In the original film, he played Ronald, Cecil Caldwell’s (Thelma Blair) mentor.
This time, Sissy Calloway (Sarah Silva) is Hank Chadwick’s (Thomas) assistant coach. He’s still charming, and he and CeCe have a genuine connection.
It feels a little wrong to say that after more than two decades apart, the actors seem like real friends who enjoy spending time together.
I don’t want to spoil it, but just like the movie, someone interferes with their relationship, leaving CeCe even more heartbroken.
There are lots of Easter eggs. In the official promo, many are teased, such as Lucian and Annie splashing around in a pool, similar to the epic pool scene Sebastian and Annette shared.
Another of the most memorable Easter eggs is the kiss between the girls.
It was teased in the promo and looks similar to the one between Catherine (Gellar) and Cecil (Blair). You have to pay attention to see who kisses in this version.
Two other iconic items in this adaptation are Catherine’s cross necklace, which she often uses, and Lucien’s car, which is once again part of the stakes.
Overall, this adaptation works better than other recent teen reboots. It blends nostalgia with suggestive scenes that flesh out the characters.
It ended on a cliffhanger, so hopefully we’ll get another season. I hope there is another season.
Over to you, TV fanatics. What do you think of the latest adaptation of Cruel Intentions?
Do you think this will be a timeless teen drama?
Let us know in the comments below.
Cruel Intentions premieres on Prime Video on November 21, 2024.
