The 1990s marked a pinnacle for cult classic teen drama films and television series, which explains why enthusiasts of this period hold them in high regard.
Among the standout films from this era is “Cruel Intentions,” a story centered around affluent step-siblings who plot to seduce and manipulate their new headmaster’s daughter.
Released in 1999, this movie served as a contemporary adaptation of the French novel “Les Liaisons Dangereuses” and featured performances by Sarah Michelle Gellar from “Buffy the Vampire Slayer,” Reese Witherspoon, and Ryan Phillippe. As a result, it has achieved cult classic status, not only due to its ensemble of ’90s icons—two of whom became a couple off-screen—but also because it inspired a prequel, sequel, and even a musical production.
Efforts to bring a TV adaptation to fruition have been underway for years. In 2016, NBC produced a pilot set 17 years after the events of the original film, with Gellar set to reprise her role. However, this pilot was not picked up and remains unaired.
Now, the film has been reimagined as a TV series available on a streaming platform. However, the reception has been less than favorable, with viewers describing it as ‘shallow and uninspired’.
This Amazon Prime adaptation, featuring Sarah Catherine Hook, Zac Burgess, and Savannah Lee Smith, holds a disappointing 36 percent rating on Rotten Tomatoes, based on critical reviews.
Viewer feedback has been harsh.
“The show doesn’t work on many levels, but the worst of it is that the writing is so uninspired, shallow and generic,” lamented one viewer.
“Don’t waste your time on this. It’s a cheap imitation of a timeless classic. Stick to the original movie and you will get far more in every department. The acting is wooden, and the plot isn’t improved upon. It is a fail, through and through,” shared another dissatisfied viewer.
Another user on X commented: “The Cruel Intentions reboot is so incredibly bad.”
One more added: “That Cruel Intentions show is really cringe and it doesn’t compare to the original I fear… I tried.”
Not all comments were negative, though.
“Just finished Cruel Intentions and i’m going to need that season 2 renewal by the end of next week,” one fan expressed.
Another echoed this sentiment: “Finally finished the Cruel Intentions series and I NEED ANOTHER SEASON ASAP.”
One more viewer compared the reboot to another cherished series.
“Ngl Cruel Intentions delivered everything the Gossip Girl reboot was supposed to…”