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Cruel Intentions

Play trailer 2:19 Poster for Cruel Intentions R Released Mar 5, 1999 1h 37m Drama Play Trailer Watchlist
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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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Cruel Intentions

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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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Critics Reviews

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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 Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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Jerod S It's a sex-centric version of mean bro and sis at college. Witherspoon plays the prude - and Jude is the one pursuing her. Rated 3 out of 5 stars 08/25/25 Full Review Vince C When I saw it 20 years ago I thought it was witty, I recall. Today I can't really see much wit in it. It's just a come-uppance tale of two nasty brats without aetiology for their personality disorders, but it's supposed to be tragic because the guy, who's not much better than a psychopath, dies when he falls in love for the first time (no, I don't think it's meant to be symbolic). SMG's acting is cardboard in places. I read the book 30 or more years ago. Don't particularly want to read it again. Rated 1.5 out of 5 stars 08/26/25 Full Review Zander . It was pretty good, just watch out since it has sex scenes within the like first 20 minutes Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars 07/26/25 Full Review Alain E A brilliant sarcastic take on sex relations. It carefully avoids any moralizing or a happy ending. It ends much better for the female characters. Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars 07/14/25 Full Review micah c The last 30 minutes of this movie saved it in my opinion. I think Ryan and Reese’s chemistry was undeniable and really shined through. The movie itself I can see why it is a cult classic but I felt bored at the first half of the movie and was confused on where it was gonna go. I think the acting was good all things considered but it definitely was not my favorite movie but maybe a rewatch could change my mind. Rated 3 out of 5 stars 07/10/25 Full Review RAYMOND O This movie is such a classic. And so awesome I think I've rewatched it at least 5 times. Of course the critics and audience scores are completely different. And the people with bad reviews on it have the weirdest takes. One guy asked who writes letters too each other. Well ya see jr. back in time before text messages and cell phones, we'd write letters to our lovers because we were thinking of them and wanted to tell them so. Yes love letters were a thing in the time this movie takes place. Smh kids. Rated 5 out of 5 stars 04/10/25 Full Review Read all reviews
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Cast & Crew

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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

Cruel intentions: Official Clip - The Black Man is Gone Cruel intentions: Official Clip - The Black Man is Gone 1:36 Cruel Intentions: Official Clip - Practice Makes Perfect Cruel Intentions: Official Clip - Practice Makes Perfect 2:06 Cruel Intentions: Official Clip - It's Not You, It's Me Cruel Intentions: Official Clip - It's Not You, It's Me 2:13 Cruel Intentions: Official Clip - Funny Faces Cruel Intentions: Official Clip - Funny Faces 1:47 Cruel Intentions: Official Clip - Kathryn's Triumph Cruel Intentions: Official Clip - Kathryn's Triumph 2:02 Cruel Intentions: Official Clip - The Bet Cruel Intentions: Official Clip - The Bet 2:12 Cruel Intentions: Official Clip - Sebastians' Journal Cruel Intentions: Official Clip - Sebastians' Journal 2:12 Cruel Intentions: Official Clip - Getting to First Base Cruel Intentions: Official Clip - Getting to First Base 2:10 View more videos

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Cruel Intentions

Cruel Intentions: Cruel Intentions - Best Scenes Cruel Intentions: Cruel Intentions - Best Scenes 8:49 Cruel Intentions: Re-Release Trailer Cruel Intentions: Re-Release Trailer 2:19 View more videos
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Cruel Intentions

A scene from the Columbia Pictures film "Cruel Intentions." A scene from the Columbia Pictures film "Cruel Intentions." A scene from the Columbia Pictures film "Cruel Intentions." A scene from the Columbia Pictures film "Cruel Intentions." A scene from the Columbia Pictures film "Cruel Intentions." A scene from the Columbia Pictures film "Cruel Intentions." A scene from the Columbia Pictures film "Cruel Intentions." A scene from the Columbia Pictures film "Cruel Intentions." A scene from the Columbia Pictures film "Cruel Intentions." A scene from the Columbia Pictures film "Cruel Intentions." View more photos

Movie Info

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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