Cruel Intentions

Play trailer

2:19

Cruel Intentions

R

Released Mar 5, 1999

1h 37m

Drama

Play Trailer

Watchlist

Watchlist

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.

Watch on Fandango at Home

Buy Now

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.

Read Critics Reviews

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

Read all reviews

Jonathan h

Absolute 90s Romantic Drama at its height. Good script, Good execution. Love the characters, Hate the characters. Root for the characters. Root against the characters. A whirlwind of emotions and morals that crash together and have you questioning what your decisions would or wouldn't be. Rewatch ability=8/10

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

11/04/24

Full Review

Steven S

A good mix of comedy, drama and some twists. The acting is good and the story holds throughout. The movie pushes some limits but doesn't go overboard. Overall, a good dark spin on cooking of age movies

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

10/14/24

Full Review

D M

Anybody who doesn't like this has got problems. Go get help.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

09/28/24

Full Review

Fabrícia F

A epítome da beleza e sensualidade na pele de dois irmãos postiços que resolvem testar o seu poder de sedução modificando as vidas de várias pessoas ao seu redor. Perigoso, surpreendente, lascivo.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

09/23/24

Full Review

Kate D

This movie is the epitome of 90's edge. Tbh charismatic actors, entertaining plot, sweet revenge. It makes up for some (not all) of the chauvinism. I watched this every weekend for years with my girls. If you want to know what the 90's were like, throw it on.

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

09/16/24

Full Review

Julian S

A pioneering portrayal of queer themes for its era.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

09/03/24

Full Review

Read all reviews

Read More

Read Less

POST RATING

WRITE A REVIEW

EDIT REVIEW

Roger Kumble

Director

Sarah Michelle Gellar

Kathryn Merteuil

Ryan Phillippe

Sebastian Valmont

Reese Witherspoon

Annette Hargrove

Selma Blair

Cecile Caldwell

Louise Fletcher

Helen Rosemond

Show Less Cast & Crew

Show More Cast & Crew

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

View more videos

Cruel Intentions II

18%

21%

Cruel Intentions II

Watchlist

Closer

67%

81%

Closer

Watchlist

Crime and Punishment in Suburbia

21%

58%

Crime and Punishment in Suburbia

Watchlist

Girl, Interrupted

54%

84%

Girl, Interrupted

Watchlist

TRAILER

for Girl, Interrupted

Body Shots

11%

28%

Body Shots

Watchlist

Discover more movies and TV shows.

View More

Why 1999 Was The Ultimate Year for Teen Movies

Us Is Certified Fresh

Laverne Cox Will Play Rocky Horror‘s Frank-N-Furter, Plus Other TV News

Cruel Intentions: Re-Release Trailer

2:19

View more videos

View more photos

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)

Most Popular at Home Now