Directed by: Roger Kumble
Written by: Roger Kumble (based on Les Liaisons Dangereuses by Pierre Choderlos de Laclos)
Starring: Sarah Michelle Gellar, Ryan Phillippe, Reese Witherspoon, Selma Blair
Genre: Teen Drama / Romance / Psychological Thriller
Runtime: 97 minutes
Country: United States
Language: English
Rating: R (for strong sexual content, language, and drug use)
π Plot Summary
Cruel Intentions is a twisted teen drama set in the high-society world of Manhattan’s elite. Step-siblings Kathryn Merteuil (Sarah Michelle Gellar) and Sebastian Valmont (Ryan Phillippe) are wealthy, bored, and dangerously manipulative.
To amuse themselves, they make a wager: Sebastian must seduce Annette Hargrove (Reese Witherspoon), the headmasterβs innocent daughter who has publicly vowed to save herself for marriage. If he succeeds, Kathryn offers herself as the prize; if he fails, she gets his prized car.
What begins as a cruel game quickly turns serious when Sebastian finds himself truly falling for Annette, threatening both the bet and his own cold-hearted persona.
π Cast & Standout Performances
Sarah Michelle Gellar as Kathryn β Sharp, calculating, and iconic. Her performance as the manipulative villainess became a pop culture staple.
Ryan Phillippe as Sebastian β A layered performance, evolving from smug predator to tragic romantic.
Reese Witherspoon as Annette β Grounded and sincere, she brings heart and morality to the film.
Selma Blair as Cecile Caldwell β NaΓ―ve and comedic, her performance adds both humor and vulnerability.
*Cruel Intentions* (1999), directed by Roger Kumble, is a provocative and stylish teen drama that reimagines the classic French novel *Les Liaisons Dangereuses* by Pierre Choderlos de Laclos, placing it in the world of affluent high school students in Manhattan. The film stars Sarah Michelle Gellar, Ryan Phillippe, and Reese Witherspoon in roles that explore manipulation, desire, and betrayal.
The story follows the devious Sebastian Valmont (Ryan Phillippe), a charming yet morally corrupt student who makes a bet with his calculating stepsister Kathryn Merteuil (Sarah Michelle Gellar).
Sebastian is tasked with seducing the innocent Annette Hargrove (Reese Witherspoon), the new headmaster’s daughter, as a form of revenge against her outspoken ideals about love and purity. However, as Sebastian begins to fall for Annette, the web of deceit, manipulation, and emotional manipulation becomes even more tangled, leading to devastating consequences.
With its mix of sharp wit, seductive intrigue, and dark romance, *Cruel Intentions* became a cult classic. The film’s exploration of love, power dynamics, and the ruthlessness of the characters captivated audiences, with standout performances from Gellar, Phillippe, and Witherspoon. The film is known for its unforgettable soundtrack, which perfectly complements the tension-filled plot and the characters’ morally complex journeys.
*Cruel Intentions* is a story of love, betrayal, and moral ambiguity, offering a twisted take on high school romance and the lengths to which people will go to manipulate others. Its mix of edgy themes, dramatic tension, and the allure of forbidden relationships makes it a memorable and lasting entry in teen cinema.
