In the new modern world we live in, the young adult (YA) movies and books have insanely progressed in a very positive way. People have noticed the fact that producers have been taking old movies made in the late 90s and reshaping it under a new light to capture what that story would look like in the present moment. The 1999 twisted romantic drama “Cruel Intentions” has become the most recent film to get the 21st century spin.
The original movie was based on a pair of lovers-turned-rivals Kathryn (Sarah Michelle Geller) and Sebastian (Ryan Phillpe), who were actually step-siblings. The whole plot centered around spoiled rich ‘siblings’ who got what they wanted when they wanted it. Out of pure boredom, and for the sake of a fun bet, Kathryn challenges Sebastian to bed Annette (Reese Witherspoon), the daughter of their affluent Upper East Side high school’s headmaster, before the end of summer break.
Despite its deranged storyline, the film joined the rest of the late-’90s, mid-2000s young adult (YA) hit films, such as “10 Things I Hate About You”, “Clueless”, “Mean Girls”, and even “Gossip Girl.”
Now 25 years later, ‘Cruel Intentions’ Prime Video Released the series on November 21, 2024. Sara Goodman and Phoebe Fisher, the co-showrunners and writers for this newly released show discussed retelling the story in the setting of college Greek life and why they “don’t want to see their drama as a remake of the 1999 film.”
In Goodman and Fisher’s modernized spin, the leading duo are step-siblings and college students Caroline (Sarah Catherine Hook) and Lucien (Zac Burgees). These tainted souls find themselves taking lengthy measures to ensure a positive future for both their sorority and fraternity houses, after a hazing incident occurs to one of Lucien’s fellow brothers at a frat party.
In this modern retelling, the storyline shares similarities with step-siblings who like to wager bets, use manipulation tactics and seduction as a reward to the movie. The actual show couldn’t be anywhere near the same. Caroline’s mother is an absent figure in her life who also used to be president of her sorority, Delta Phi Pi, like her daughter. She applies a critical amount of pressure on her daughter to be perfect and to keep the sorority in top-tier status and shape as she once did.
After one of the frat parties, the son of a prestigious congressman had a hazing incident that put the college’s Greek life under scrutiny. When Caroline’s mother heard about it, she pressured Caroline to find a miraculous way to save Delta Phi Pi. That’s when Caroline came up with the plan for Lucien to make the newly enrolled student, Annie (Savannah Lee Smith), who happens to be the daughter of the Vice President of the United States, fall prey to his charm and convince her to join his dearest sister’s sorority. If Lucien succeeded in this devious plan, he would get what he most desired, the opportunity to bed Caroline herself.
With Annie in Delta Phi Pi, Caroline would easily save both her own standing and Greek life’s place at the top of the social hierarchy. This feat would also allow the sororities to face terrorizing protests from a group of fellow D.C. college students who are entirely against Greek Life and everything it stands for.
As Lucien begins his new project, he starts to develop real feelings for Annie, leaving Caroline jealous and mad.
This Prime Video series is the new ‘Euphoria’ of the year and leaves the audience speechless with all the drama, conflict and new formed ways to show romance. With a 100+ rating and only 22% tomatoes, it is clear some viewers do not care for the modern iteration of the classic 90s film, but I believe if any viewers enjoyYA drama such as ‘Gossip Girl’ or even ‘Euphoria’, ‘Cruel Intentions’ first season is worth a watch.
