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Cruel Intentions

Play trailer 2:19 Poster for Cruel Intentions R 1999 1h 37m Drama Play Trailer Watchlist
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55% Tomatometer 120 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

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 Mar 27, 2019
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. Go to Full Review Kevin Thomas Los Angeles Times Mar 21, 2019
Cruel Intentions is a stretch for all concerned, including the targeted audience, one that pays off handsomely--and works for older moviegoers as well. Go to Full Review Andrew Sarris Observer Mar 21, 2019
At this infantile level of appraisal, I suspect that Ms. Gellar and Mr. Phillippe may have a harder time next summer than last. Go to Full Review John Stark Mac the Movie Guy May 23, 2026
84/100
I have nostalgia problems. cruel Intentions leaned harder into manipulation, sex, and cruelty. A very delicious guilty pleasure 25 years later, Roger Kumble’s sexy thriller can still put it wherever it wants. Go to Full Review Sharai Bohannon A Nightmare On Fierce Street Podcast Mar 8, 2026
4/5
'Cruel Intentions' isn't perfect, but she's still fun and formative for teen audiences in a way that films today are not. We need more of this for today's youth. Go to Full Review Simon Gallagher Screen Rant Nov 19, 2024
8/10
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. Go to Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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SIMAS C @simas_eros Oct 27, 2026 The thrill of challenges, wagers, power games, new discoveries, and fresh experiences—all orchestrated by a pair of half-siblings against the new girls at their school. This film is a 1990s take on a classic 1972 French novel, a story that has inspired numerous other cinematic adaptations. Despite its teenage setting, the film’s erotic tension is intense, which has helped it attain cult status over the years. See more Jacob W @SteelioTontos Oct 21, 2026 "Oh step brother, can you come help me torment this girl and then do things with me." -Gross. See more Hadley J @HJayne64 Oct 9, 2026 It’s so cheesy in so many places but also so great with humor sprinkled everywhere. It’s twisted but fun. See more alan G @agenser Oct 6, 2026 Dangerous liasons did it much better. Pretty people who can't act. See more Thyaagu C @Thyaagu Aug 25, 2026 3.75 ⭐️ She walked in, chose chaos, and absolutely owned it. Sarah Michelle Gellar was phenomenal as Kathryn, with Ryan and Reese bringing enough highs and lows to make this twisted little game work. A messy, dark, & addictive ride!! See more Horror fan 4 @Horrorfan4life Aug 25, 2026 One of the greatest movies of the 1990's. This movie is stacked with stars. I love this story of a guy trying lay the deans daughter. All the while step siblings are wanting to get it on. Eventually this turns into a revenge movie and Reese Witherspoon is brilliant in setting that up. These step siblings are ruthless but in the end they deserve what they get. Tim Treakle See more Read all reviews
Cruel Intentions

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

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Cruel Intentions

Cruel Intentions: Cruel Intentions - Best Scenes Cruel Intentions: Cruel Intentions - Best Scenes 8:49 Now Playing Cruel Intentions: Re-Release Trailer Cruel Intentions: Re-Release Trailer 2:19 Now Playing 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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