Cruel Intentions

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2:19

Cruel Intentions

R

1999

1h 37m

Drama

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

55%

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120 Reviews

80%

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250,000+ Ratings

Annette (Reese Witherspoon) unwittingly becomes a pawn in Sebastian's (Ryan Phillippe) and Kathryn's (Sarah Michelle Gellar) deliciously diabolical wager of sexual conquest when she writes an article in Seventeen Magazine about how she intends to stay pure until she marries her boyfriend. However, Sebastian gets more than he bargained for as he attempts to woo Annette into his bed.

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Critics Consensus

This darkly comic drama and its attractive young cast are easy on the eyes, but uneven performances and an uninspired script conspire to foil Cruel Intentions.

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Kristy Puchko

Pajiba

03/27/2019

20 years later, you can see the charm that made Witherspoon a star, appreciate Blair's comedic splendor, and recognize that Phillippe was handsome and is also in this movie.

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Kevin Thomas

Los Angeles Times

03/21/2019

Cruel Intentions is a stretch for all concerned, including the targeted audience, one that pays off handsomely--and works for older moviegoers as well.

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Andrew Sarris

Observer

03/21/2019

At this infantile level of appraisal, I suspect that Ms. Gellar and Mr. Phillippe may have a harder time next summer than last.

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John Stark

Mac the Movie Guy

May 23

84/100

I have nostalgia problems. cruel Intentions leaned harder into manipulation, sex, and cruelty. A very delicious guilty pleasure 25 years later, Roger Kumble’s sexy thriller can still put it wherever it wants.

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Sharai Bohannon

A Nightmare On Fierce Street Podcast

Mar 8

4/5

'Cruel Intentions' isn't perfect, but she's still fun and formative for teen audiences in a way that films today are not. We need more of this for today's youth.

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Simon Gallagher

Screen Rant

11/19/2024

8/10

A steamy, provocative teen drama with improbably high stakes that you really shouldn't watch with your parents. Or your kids. Or your step brother.

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mbryanf T.

@mbryanf Jul 2

I first saw this movie back in ’99, and I watched it again in ’26. Honestly, it was so ahead of its time, and it’s become a must-watch classic from the ‘90s. The four main actors were practically unknowns then, and Cruel Intentions was definitely a big break for Witherspoon, Gellar, and Blair.

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Elza R.

@elzas_movies May 22

A little unconvincing and rushed, but the ending is what makes it a great movie and one of my favorites.

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salvationDANCE T

@DanceHH81 Apr 3

cult classic! a must know in pop-culture!!

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Unique C.

@uniquecliches Mar 14

The movie has a few fine scenes, but overall, it’s too disjointed and unconvincing. It’s sort of a movie that one would watch for the cast, and a few one liners. One could watch it for the story ( a fine story written in the eighteenth century) but the cast and the way the story is portrayed are simply not convincing. The movie and its ending are simply nonsensical- a blend of Disney and neo-noir.

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Khaztiel Delbod D

@khaztielddenver_ Feb 11

Últimamente he visto peliculas de Sarah Michelle que admito que son historias que me llegan a gustar. Aquí se puede apreciar la típica historia de apuestas de hermanos pero el giro que llega en el final fue lo sorprendente, si la pelicula ya me estaba gustando ese final lo cambio aun mas.

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Steven T.

@CEOMillenial1 Jan 20

This is quintessential 90s cinema. And the plot which was written in 242 years ago, translates well. Star making performances. Watch atleast once!

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Roger Kumble

Director

Sarah Michelle Gellar

Kathryn Merteuil

Ryan Phillippe

Sebastian Valmont

Reese Witherspoon

Annette Hargrove

Selma Blair

Cecile Caldwell

Louise Fletcher

Helen Rosemond

Cruel intentions: Official Clip - The Black Man is Gone

1:36

Cruel Intentions: Official Clip - Practice Makes Perfect

2:06

Cruel Intentions: Official Clip - It's Not You, It's Me

2:13

Cruel Intentions: Official Clip - Funny Faces

1:47

Cruel Intentions: Official Clip - Kathryn's Triumph

2:02

Cruel Intentions: Official Clip - The Bet

2:12

Cruel Intentions: Official Clip - Sebastians' Journal

2:12

Cruel Intentions: Official Clip - Getting to First Base

2:10

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Cruel Intentions: Re-Release Trailer

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Synopsis

Annette (Reese Witherspoon) unwittingly becomes a pawn in Sebastian's (Ryan Phillippe) and Kathryn's (Sarah Michelle Gellar) deliciously diabolical wager of sexual conquest when she writes an article in Seventeen Magazine about how she intends to stay pure until she marries her boyfriend. However, Sebastian gets more than he bargained for as he attempts to woo Annette into his bed.

Director: Roger Kumble
Producer: Neal H. Moritz
Screenwriter: Roger Kumble
Distributor: Columbia Pictures, Sony Pictures Entertainment
Production Co: Columbia Pictures, Newmarket Capital Group
Rating: R (Language|Drug Use|Sexual Situations|Strong Sexual Dialogue)
Genre: Drama
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Mar 5, 1999, Wide
Rerelease Date (Theaters): Mar 22, 2019
Release Date (Streaming): Mar 28, 2014
Box Office (Gross USA): $38.6M
Runtime: 1h 37m
Sound Mix: Dolby Stereo, Dolby A, SDDS, Surround, Dolby Digital, Dolby SR
Aspect Ratio: Flat (1.85:1)