Cruel Intentions Synopsis & Review: Plot Summary

🎯 Quick Overview

😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained

Rich teens make terrible bets and ruin lives, proving money can’t buy you class or a decent therapist.

🍿 Cruel Intentions: Detailed Plot Synopsis

The Wager and Seduction of Annette

Sebastian Valmont, a notorious playboy, makes a bet with his stepsister, Kathryn Merteuil. The challenge: to seduce Annette Hargrove, the headmaster’s virtuous daughter, before the start of the semester. Kathryn proposes that if Sebastian succeeds, he can have her; if he fails, she gets his prized 1956 Jaguar XK140.

Cecile’s Manipulation

Meanwhile, Kathryn manipulates Cecile Caldwell, a naive young woman, to exact revenge on her ex-boyfriend, Court Reynolds. She orchestrates Cecile’s downfall through scandalous revelations and public humiliation, all while pretending to be Cecile’s friend and confidante.

Sebastian’s Transformation and Confession

As Sebastian pursues Annette, he begins to fall in love with her, leading to a genuine emotional connection. He documents his feelings in his diary, which becomes a central plot device later in the film, revealing his transformation and true intentions.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained

🎬 Cast & Characters

• Kathryn Merteuil (Sarah Michelle Gellar): A manipulative and vindictive socialite who orchestrates cruel games with people’s lives for her own amusement.
• Sebastian Valmont (Ryan Phillippe): Kathryn’s stepbrother and partner in crime, a charming and cynical womanizer who initially accepts Kathryn’s challenge.
• Annette Hargrove (Reese Witherspoon): The virtuous headmaster’s daughter and Sebastian’s ultimate target, representing innocence and morality.
• Cecile Caldwell (Selma Blair): A naive and inexperienced young woman who becomes a pawn in Kathryn and Sebastian’s twisted game.

💬 Memorable Quotes

• Kathryn: “It’s okay for guys like you and Court to fuck everyone. But when I do it, I get dumped for innocent little twits like Cecile.” – Kathryn expresses her frustration with the double standards she faces as a woman in a sexually liberated society.
• Kathryn: “I’m the Marcia fucking Brady of the Upper East Side, and sometimes I want to kill myself.” – Kathryn reveals the pressure she feels to maintain a perfect image and the dark thoughts it inspires.
• Sebastian: “People like me don’t write books, they are written about. Or I guess in this case, the book is more of a journal.” – Sebastian casually dismisses the idea of self-reflection while alluding to his history of exploits.
• Kathryn: “You can put it anywhere.” – Kathryn ups the stakes in her bet with Sebastian, implying that the prize of sleeping with her is more valuable than his car.
• Sebastian: “I’m not sure I can live up to all this virtue.” – Sebastian mockingly acknowledges Annette’s commitment to abstinence before marriage as a challenge to his seductive prowess.

💰Box Office

• Budget: $10.5 million
• Domestic Gross: $38.3 million
• Worldwide Gross: $76.3 million

💥 Cruel Intentions Reviews

Personal Review

Okay, so I first watched ‘Cruel Intentions’ when I was way too young, and I was completely scandalized! The whole vibe of privilege and manipulation was so captivating. Reese Witherspoon’s character was someone I was definitely rooting for! The ending, though, always leaves me feeling a little bummed, even though it’s kind of perfect. Honestly, I still rewatch it for the nostalgia and the ridiculously quotable lines.

• Who would enjoy:
  • “Fans of teen dramas with dark themes.”
  • “Viewers interested in adaptations of classic literature.”
  • “Those who enjoy movies with complex and morally ambiguous characters.”
  • “People looking for 90s nostalgia.”
• Content warnings ⚠:
  • “Strong sexual content and nudity”
  • “Drug use”
  • “Mature themes”
  • “Language”

Professional Reviews

• Rotten Tomatoes: “”Cruel Intentions” is undeniably trashy, but it’s also stylishly shot and features strong performances from its young cast, making it a guilty pleasure for many.
• Metacritic: “While not high art, ‘Cruel Intentions’ excels at being a deliciously wicked teen drama. The performances are committed, and the twists and turns keep you engaged.

Audience Reactions

The shocking twists and turns kept me on the edge of my seat!: The performances of the young cast, especially Ryan Phillippe and Sarah Michelle Gellar, are widely praised.

Overall Consensus: A guilty pleasure teen drama with strong performances and scandalous plot twists, but ultimately polarizing due to its dark themes.

Awards

🛠️ Behind the Scenes

• “The movie is a modern adaptation of the 1782 French novel ‘Les Liaisons Dangereuses’ by Choderlos de Laclos.”
• “Selma Blair originally auditioned for the role of Kathryn Merteuil, but the director felt she was better suited for Cecile Caldwell.”
• “The iconic kiss between Sarah Michelle Gellar and Selma Blair won the ‘Best Kiss’ award at the 2000 MTV Movie Awards.”
• “Several deleted scenes offer a darker and more explicit portrayal of the characters’ manipulations and desires.”

🖥️ How to Watch Cruel Intentions?

Cruel Intentions is available for streaming on various platforms. You can rent or purchase it on Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play Movies, and Vudu. Check your local listings for cable on-demand options. Availability may vary by region, so confirm before you plan your viewing.

🎥 Similar Movies

If you enjoyed Cruel Intentions, you might like these similar films:

• Dangerous Liaisons (1988): This is the direct, more mature adaptation of the same source material, exploring similar themes of manipulation and seduction within the French aristocracy.
• Clueless (1995): While lighter in tone, ‘Clueless’ offers a similarly sharp and witty look at the lives of privileged teenagers in a high school setting, with a central character undergoing a transformation.
• Mean Girls (2004): Features teenage social hierarchy with manipulation.
• Heathers (1988): Shares the dark humor and exploration of teen angst and social cliques, though with a more satirical and violent edge.

🛒 Cruel Intentions Related Products

• Cruel Intentions: The 20th Anniversary Edition [Blu-ray]: A beautifully remastered Blu-ray edition celebrating 20 years of scandalous fun. Includes behind-the-scenes features and interviews.
• Cruel Intentions (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack) [CD]: Relive the late 90s angst with the iconic soundtrack featuring The Verve, Placebo, and Counting Crows. Perfect for setting a mood of dramatic intrigue.
• Cruel Intentions Movie Poster: High-quality print of the original movie poster. Features Sarah Michelle Gellar and Ryan Phillippe.
• Cruel Intentions Inspired T-Shirt: Vintage-inspired t-shirt featuring iconic quotes from the movie

🎧 Soundtrack

Cruel Intentions features a captivating soundtrack that enhances the movie’s atmosphere and emotional impact. Here are some notable tracks:

• “Bitter Sweet Symphony” – performed by The Verve
• “Colorblind” – performed by Counting Crows
• “Every You Every Me” – performed by Placebo

You can find the complete soundtrack on Amazon Music and Apple Music.

🤨 FAQ

🔥 Bonus Content

Top 10 Memorable Cruel Intentions Moments

Take a nostalgic trip down memory lane with this video that highlights the most iconic moments from the beloved teen classic, Cruel Intentions. From the scandalous bet to the unforgettable kiss, you’ll relive the drama and passion that made this movie a cult favorite.

Our Deal – Cruel Intentions FMV (SebastianXKathryn)

Immerse yourself in the passionate romance of Cruel Intentions through this fan-created masterpiece. Set to a hauntingly beautiful song, it captures the longing, betrayal, and heart-wrenching moments that defined Sebastian and Kathryn’s relationship.

Cruel Intentions – Sebastian’s Death (SPOILER)

Prepare yourself for a heart-wrenching moment as this clip showcases the tragic end of Sebastian’s journey. Witness the raw emotions and devastating impact of his death on the lives of those he loved.

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