The movie featured one of the most talked-about “first kiss” scenes in cinema history.
Released in cinemas in 1999, Cruel Intentions wasn’t necessarily a massive critical (54% on Rotten Tomatoes) or commercial ($76 million worldwide on a $11 million production budget) hit, but it did leave a last impact with pretty much anyone of a certain age who watched it.
Starring Sarah Michelle Gellar, Ryan Phillippe, Reese Witherspoon, Selma Blair, Joshua Jackson, Tara Reid and Christine Barinski, it tells the story of a pair of spoiled, super-rich step-siblings who plot to destroy the perfect image of the new girl in their school, only for real feelings of love to get in the way.
It was itself a modernised remake of the 1988 period romantic drama Dangerous Liaisons, the 90s version is now following hot on the heels of fellow psychosexual thriller movies Dead Ringers and Fatal Attraction by getting the small-screen remake.
Cruel Intentions goes to The White House
Deadline are reporting that Amazon Prime Video are moving ahead with the series adaptation, with the scripts provided by Phoebe Fisher (I Know What You Did Last Summer) and Sara Goodman (Gossip Girl), and they describe the plot and setting of the new version as follows:
“Two ruthless step siblings will do anything to stay on top. In this case, of the Greek life hierarchy at an elite Washington, D.C. college. After a brutal hazing incident threatens the entire Panhellenic system, they’ll do whatever’s necessary to preserve their power and reputations – even seduce the daughter of the Vice President of the United States.”
If you’d like to reacquaint yourself with the 1999 version, Cruel Intentions is available to stream on Amazon Prime Video in Ireland and the UK right now.
