Cruel Intentions (2024) Review | A TV Show’s Provocative Dive into the Dark Side of Privilege
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Created by Phoebe Fisher and Sara Goodman, and produced by Original Film, Sony Pictures Television and Amazon MGM Studios for Amazon Prime Video, the TV show Cruel Intentions revives one of the ’90s most iconic stories, weaving themes of power, seduction, and manipulation into a modern tapestry.
Inspired by the 1999 cult classic movie — starring Sarah Michelle Gellar, Ryan Phillippe, Reese Witherspoon, and Selma Blair — and its source material, Pierre Choderlos de Laclos’ 18th-century novel Les Liaisons Dangereuses, the show reimagines this tale of deceit and desire for a contemporary audience.
Everyone’s going to have their opinion regardless if it was a remake or an original. Everyone’s just going to feel differently about it. I wouldn’t say I’m too concerned [about the backlash] because I think once people watch it, they’ll really start to realize that it’s not a remake; it’s not a reboot. It’s really a new chapter in reimagining.
The actress Savanna Lee Smith for Teen Vogue
Expanding on the original’s gripping mix of drama, romance, and intrigue, it delves into the shifting power dynamics of a world defined by social media, privilege, and the unique struggles of Generation Z.
Set years after the events of the movie, Cruel Intentions introduces a mix of new faces and ties to the original story. At its heart are two step-siblings, Caroline Merteuil (Sarah Catherine Hook) and Lucien Belmont (Zac Burgess), heirs to wealthy and influential families, who use their charm and cunning to get what they want. Their complex relationship and thirst for control often lead to devastating consequences.
The story centers on blurred lines, between love and obsession, friendship and betrayal, unfolding in a morally complex, high-society world. The opulence surrounding the characters hides an intricate web of secrets and lies.
Sexuality as a Weapon
The show takes a bold approach to sexuality, portraying it as both a core aspect of identity and a tool for control. Characters wield seduction to manipulate others, often flipping traditional roles of victim and aggressor. Desire becomes a currency in a world where everything has a price.
Cruel Intentions also explores sexual fluidity, introducing characters who defy norms and embrace a spectrum of identities and experiences. These portrayals are integral to the plot, highlighting the tensions and conflicts that arise from sexual freedom in a judgmental society. Far from idealizing it, the show depicts sexuality in all its complexity, showing its power to forge genuine connections or destroy lives.
Rivalry with Gossip Girl
Cruel Intentions and Gossip Girl are often compared due to their shared focus on the lives of privileged youth. Both shows portray a world where wealth, influence, and appearances shape every interaction, making them fertile ground for drama and betrayal. Luxurious penthouses, exclusive schools, and high-profile events serve as glamorous backdrops for the characters’ scheming, reinforcing the idea that even the most beautiful exteriors can hide deep corruption and despair.
However, where Gossip Girl often veers into the dazzling and theatrical, Cruel Intentions takes a more unsettling approach. Gossip Girl thrives on the spectacle of its characters’ lives—lavish wardrobes, high-profile romances, and dramatic social implosions. It balances its darker themes with moments of levity, romance, and redemption, creating a blend of escapism and scandal. The moral framework, though flexible, often leans toward offering characters second chances or moments of growth.
In contrast, Cruel Intentions strips away the glamour to expose the raw, brutal underpinnings of its characters’ actions, delving deeper into moral ambiguity and creating a narrative less concerned with their redemption.
Another key difference lies in the portrayal of power. In Gossip Girl, power is often tied to social status and the ability to control public perception through clever gossip or social influence. Characters weaponize their visibility to climb higher in the social hierarchy or take down rivals. On the other hand, Cruel Intentions portrays power as more personal and visceral. It focuses on the intimacy that unfolds behind closed doors. The stakes feel more dangerous, as characters’ actions frequently have a psychological or emotional toll, leaving scars that linger well beyond a single scandal.
For viewers, the choice between the two becomes one of preference: the seductive glitz of Gossip Girl or the intense, provocative edge of Cruel Intentions.
A New Era for a Cult Favorite
For fans of the original movie, the TV show offers a chance to revisit a generation-defining story. For younger viewers, it presents a gripping tale of intrigue and passion. By blending its legacy with fresh innovation, Cruel Intentions promises to stand out in today’s crowded television landscape, proving that stories of desire and deception never lose their allure.
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