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Cruel Intentions

In the game of seduction, there is only one rule: Never fall in love.

1999 · 97 min · Drama
6.5 Modest
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Drama Romance

Slaking a thirst for dangerous games, Kathryn challenges her stepbrother, Sebastian, to deflower their headmaster's daughter before the summer ends. If he succeeds, the prize is the chance to bed Kathryn. But if he loses, Kathryn will claim his most prized possession.

Country of origin
🇺🇸 United States
Year
1999
Studio
Newmarket Capital Group · Original Film · Neal H. Moritz Productions

Trivia & behind the scenes

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Origins

The film is a modern high-school retelling of Pierre Choderlos de Laclos' 1782 novel Les Liaisons dangereuses, transplanted to wealthy teenagers in New York City.

Origins

Cruel Intentions was initially conceived as a smaller-budget independent film before being picked up by Columbia Pictures for wide release.

Casting

In a 2016 interview, Sarah Michelle Gellar revealed that the movie's original title was 'Cruel Inventions'.

Casting

Swoosie Kurtz, who plays Dr. Regina Greenbaum in this film, had previously portrayed Madame de Volanges in the 1988 film adaptation Dangerous Liaisons.

Music

About $1 million of the film's roughly $10 million budget—around 10 percent—was spent securing the license for The Verve's 'Bitter Sweet Symphony' for the ending scene.

Music

The Verve had lost royalties and songwriting credits for 'Bitter Sweet Symphony' to Allen Klein following a lawsuit over an uncleared sample of an orchestral cover of the Rolling Stones' 'The Last Time', which made licensing the song for the film especially costly.

Music

Producer Neal Moritz said that when it seemed impossible to secure 'Bitter Sweet Symphony', the team tried about 200 other songs as replacements but found nothing comparable, concluding the expense was worth it.

Filming

The film was shot in New York-area locations including Old Westbury Gardens in Nassau County and the Harry F. Sinclair House in New York City.

Trivia

The film's success spawned a franchise including a 2001 direct-to-video prequel (Cruel Intentions 2, assembled from episodes of a scrapped Fox series called Manchester Prep, featuring young versions of Sebastian and Kathryn played by Robin Dunne and Amy Adams), a 2004 standalone sequel (Cruel Intentions 3), a 2015 jukebox musical, and a 2024 TV series reboot that was canceled after one season.

Trivia

NBC developed a 2016 continuation series set 17 years after the film, with Sarah Michelle Gellar set to reprise her role and Kate Levering replacing Reese Witherspoon as Annette, but the network ultimately passed on the project.

Memorable quotes

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Keep your friends close, and your enemies closer.

Kathryn Merteuil advising on manipulating rivals

I hate it when things don't go my way. It makes me so horny.

Kathryn Merteuil frustrated when plans go awry

You're just a toy, Sebastian. A little toy I like to play with.

Kathryn Merteuil dismissing Sebastian's importance

Everybody loves me, and I intend to keep it that way.

Kathryn Merteuil boasting about her popularity

She's quite cute, you know. Young, supple breasts, a tight, firm ass... uncharted booty... Be her Captain Picard, Valmont. Boldly go where no man has gone before.

Kathryn Merteuil urging Sebastian to seduce Cecile

You're telling me you had the chance to fuck her and you didn't? God, are you a chump.

Kathryn Merteuil mocking Sebastian's hesitation

People don't change overnight, you and I are two of a kind.

Kathryn Merteuil comparing herself to Sebastian

When I'm through with Cecile, she'll be the premier tramp of the New York area.

Kathryn Merteuil plotting Cecile's downfall

I'm sick of sleeping with these insipid Manhattan debutantes. Nothing shocks them anymore.

Sebastian Valmont complaining about jaded debutantes

We've done some pretty fucked up shit in our time but this... I mean, we're destroying an innocent girl. You do realize that?

Sebastian Valmont having second thoughts about the scheme

I didn't know it was asshole day at the Valmont house.

Sebastian Valmont reacting to family drama

Greg McConnell: What is this, Grandma with a birthday present? Suck it, you dumb bitch!

Greg McConnell taunting during a confrontation

Are you in, or are you out?

Taglines movie tagline

In the game of seduction, There is only one rule: Never fall in love.

Taglines movie tagline

What you can't have, you can't resist.

Taglines movie tagline

How the community felt

😵 Shocked 33%
😆 Amused 33%
😑 Weary 33%

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