Cruel Intentions

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2:19

Cruel Intentions

R

Released Mar 5, 1999

1h 37m

Drama

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

53%

Tomatometer

118 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

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

Rene Jordan

El Nuevo Herald (Miami)

The result is not completely satisfactory, but it entraps you with its temerity to see just how far it will go. [Full review in Spanish]

Rated: 3/5

Jul 20, 2023

Full Review

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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

Farah R

While it's not without charm, Cruel Intentions is not an enjoyable film. The characters are irredeemably unlikable, and the story lacks a moral. After hearing and reading so much about it, I expected it to be far more revolutionary than a scandalous teen drama.

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

07/09/24

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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