"Cruel Intentions" is a sleek, modern update to the original

November 22, 2024

Courtesy: Prime Video

Cruel Intentions is the sultry new series that premiered on Prime Video on November 21 with eight episodes. The new series is a reboot of the 1999 cult classic starring Sarah Michelle Gellar, Ryan Phillippe, Reese Witherspoon, and Selma Blair.  The original was an instant classic, and this reboot attempts to capture the same drama and intensity as the first with a sleek modern retelling of Pierre Choderlos de Laclos' 1782 novel Les Liaisons Dangereuses.

While the original was set in New York City, this reboot is based in Washington, DC, and follows the same premise centered around two wealthy, ruthless step-siblings at their elite Machester College who thrive on being atop the social ladder of the Greek system where glitz, glam, and reputation are their identities and manipulations are child's play. After a brutal hazing goes wrong, the manipulative siblings decide to preserve their hierarchy of power and seduce Annie Grover, the naive daughter of the Vice President of the United States.

Developed and executive produced by Phoebe Fisher and Sara Goodman, additional executive producers include Neal H. Moritz, Pavun Shetty, Roger Kumble, Andrea Iervolino, Monica Bacardi, and Bruce Mellon with production companies Sony Pictures Television, Amazon MGM Studios and Original Film.

Courtesy: Prime Video

The series stars:

• Sarah Catherine Hook as Caroline Merteuil

• Zac Burgess as Lucien Belmont

• Savannah Lee Smith as Annie Grover

• Sara Silva as CeCe Carroway

• John Harlan Kim as Blaise Powell

• Khobe Clarke as Scott Russell

• Sean Patrick Thomas as Professor Hank Chadwick

• Brooke Lena Johnson as Beatrice Worth

The series does not stray too far from the original, and fans will welcome this reboot with its sexy, more diverse update and new twists in the popular story. Replacing Gellar and Phillippe are Hook and Belmont playing the conniving step-siblings. Sarah Catherine Hook shines as the delicious Caroline Merteuil, who uses her brother Lucien to seduce Annie to persuade her to join Delta Phi, the sorority she is President of, to ensure the sorority's survival so she can remain perched on her social ladder of the Greek system at Campus. Ever the playboy, Lucien welcomes the challenge since he's bored with his current escapades, and neither boasts a challenge. If he loses, he forfeits his vintage jaguar; if he wins, he gets his most coveted prize - having sex with Caroline. Other subplots include who was responsible for the hazing incident that went wrong that happened 3 months prior, involving Scott Russell (the victim of the hazing) being hospitalized. Fans of the original are in for a bit of nostalgia, as Sean Patrick Thomas is also in the reboot.

Prime Video promises hearts will be broken, loyalties will be tested, and secrets will be revealed in this modern-day royal court.

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Cruel Intentions is currently streaming on Prime Video.

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