Cruel Intentions

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2:19

Cruel Intentions

R

Released Mar 5, 1999

1h 37m

Drama

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

54%

Tomatometer

119 Reviews

80%

Popcornmeter

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

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.

Mar 27, 2019

Full Review

Kevin Thomas

Los Angeles Times

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

Mar 21, 2019

Full Review

Andrew Sarris

Observer

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

Mar 21, 2019

Full Review

Simon Gallagher

Screen Rant

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.

Rated: 8/10

Nov 19, 2024

Full Review

Dennis Schwartz

Dennis Schwartz Movie Reviews

Rings false and cynical.

Rated: C+

Jul 21, 2024

Full Review

Mike Massie

Gone With The Twins

Though it’s utterly devoid of upright morals and wholesome characters, there’s something amusing about how dastardly and conniving the two leads can be.

Rated: 5/10

Aug 8, 2023

Full Review

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I'm A D

Great movie, I absolutely enjoyed it.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

12/09/24

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Audience Member

So dark I couldn't help but laugh

Rated 1.5 out of 5 stars

12/08/24

Full Review

Mary S

Love this movie so much! The performances by the whole cast is brilliant, these roles were meant for them. Sarah is shockingly perfect as the evil and manipulative step sister Katherine and Ryan as Sebastian is great as the sarcastically evil/funny step brother who's grown bored of their games. I watch the movie yearly. Watching the 2024 show just made me want to watch original movie again, the movie is 10× better.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

11/27/24

Full Review

E. D

This movie is definitely better than the TV series 2024, which was really bad..

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

11/26/24

Full Review

nick s

Sumptuously shot & quite well acted. Fun opening to draw in the audience. But after a while the story just started ambling around and lacked tension. Too much time spent on scenes that didn't drive the plot. Perhaps the director thought they were needed to tick the boxes for a coming of age movie.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

11/26/24

Full Review

Cheryl W

I have seen this film several times over the years. It is the cast that makes it so entertaining. Sexy Kathryn and Sebastian are intriguing. Reese Wtherspoon is believable as sweet Annette. I am writing today (in 2024) because I find it annoying when film critic's give my favorite movies bad ratings. Also, there is a new series version that just came out, and the current characters are not as interesting -at all!

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

11/22/24

Full Review

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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

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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

2:19

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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)

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