Prime Video’s ‘Cruel Intentions’ Series Ending, Explained

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As someone who has binge-watched both the 1999 film and the Prime Video series of “Cruel Intentions,” I must say that these stories have left me with a rather bitter-sweet taste, much like the infamous Manhattans served at Manhattan High.

It’s not unexpected that the ’90s hit movie, “Cruel Intentions,” is now a series on Prime Video. Featuring Sarah Catherine Hook (“First Kill”), Zac Burgess (“Boy Swallows Universe”), and Savannah Lee Smith (“Gossip Girl”), this new version reimagines the cunning tale from the 1999 film and Pierre Choderlos de Laclos’s novel, set in a contemporary context. The story revolves around a wager between two affluent and troubled step-siblings.

In this adaptation, Hook finds himself entangled with the cunning and deceitful character Caroline Merteuil, similar to Sarah Michelle Gellar’s Kathryn. Meanwhile, Burgess portrays Lucien, a playboy who mirrors Ryan Phillippe’s Sebastian in his self-centered and brooding nature. Annie Grover, an innocent young woman played by Smith, finds herself in the crossfire of their games, much like Reese Witherspoon’s Annette Hargrove. The latter is the daughter of the U.S. Vice President and lacks experience.

The initial season of the modern adaptation of “Cruel Intentions” offers fresh environments, characters, plots, and a climactic episode that revises the destiny of its main characters. While devoted viewers will recognize familiar nods to the past, they should also anticipate numerous shifts in the show’s central themes and conclusion compared to their original experiences. As we explore how this updated version distinguishes itself from earlier iterations, let’s focus on the intriguing final scenes that lay a foundation for more seasons filled with tantalizing sensuality and deception.

It’s Not an Exact Remake

While the new “Cruel Intentions” series shares many connections with the iconic ’90s film, it’s not an exact replica. To transform a 90-minute movie into eight, 50-minute episodes, some alterations were made to the plot and characters.

The story primarily unfolds on a fictional, notably elitist campus, that is Manchester College in Washington D.C., during the academic year. It predominantly revolves around the characters’ social standings at this university, covering matters within sororities, fraternities, and peer interactions. However, it’s important to note that while the characters are students of a college bearing the same name, the events transpire in and around New York City during the summer before the new school year begins.

In addition, many character roles and backstories have been adapted slightly for the new environment. For instance, Caroline, previously a student body president like Kathryn, is now the president of her sorority, Delta Phi Pi. Similarly, the character Cecile, who was a dimwitted debutante in the movie and played by Selma Blair (Legally Blonde), has been transformed into CeCe (Sara Silva). She serves as Caroline’s right-hand woman within the sorority and is an exceptionally intelligent (though slightly neurotic) character. Furthermore, there’s a character named Blaise, who resembles Sebastian’s gay confidant, Blaine. This new character embezzles money from his fraternity to be able to attend, similar to the character of Blaine. Lastly, Annie’s father is no longer the headmaster of Manchester College as he was in Annette’s case; instead, he holds a higher position, being the V.P.

Regardless of the character changes, there are numerous Easter eggs for devoted fans to savor. One of the most significant is the reappearance of Sean Patrick Thomas. In the original film, he portrayed Cecile’s cello teacher and secret lover, Ronald. In the series, he reprises a similar role as Professor Chadwick. Consistent with his character 25 years ago, Thomas plays CeCe’s boss and forbidden love interest in this new version.

CeCe Doesn’t Get Her Happy Ending

In the initial movie, it is shown that Cecile and Ronald wind up as a pair. To drive them apart, Kathryn manipulated situations such as revealing Ronald’s love letters to Cecile’s racist mother, encouraging an inappropriate relationship between Cecile and her step-brother, and deceiving Ronald into believing he was with Kathryn instead. This was all done out of jealousy, as Kathryn discovered that her former lover Court had feelings for her. However, through Sebastian’s retribution against Kathryn, the duo manages to resist her malevolent interference.

In contrast, the series finale finds CeCe in a state of bewilderment and without any rewards. Throughout the storyline, it’s evident that Caroline manipulates CeCe for her own gain, disregarding the impact on their supposed friendship. When CeCe becomes engrossed in her relationship with Professor Chadwick, Caroline deceives him into believing CeCe doesn’t care for him, lies about her identity to sleep with him, and then accuses him of misconduct as a student. Trusting Caroline blindly, CeCe is susceptible to her devious strategies. Upon learning about the accusation, she assumes Caroline was merely protecting her. Regrettably, CeCe fails to expose Caroline’s deceit in the series finale.

Sebastian and Lucien Have Very Different Fates

Following his triumph in the wager and sharing a night with Annette, Sebastian decides against accepting his reward (Kathryn). Enraged and seeking revenge, Kathryn viciously attacks Sebastian’s reputation, asserting that they are alike – two individuals devoid of love, joy, or even moral fiber. In a state of bewilderment about his identity, Sebastian inadvertently ends things with Annette. However, Kathryn commits an error of her own: she confesses that she lied about his affection to win her contest against him.

Instantly, Sebastian hands over his journal, which he calls a prize of his sexual encounters and an intricate record of his and Kathryn’s immorality, to Annette in an attempt to make amends and start fresh. Regrettably, his step-sister denies him a peaceful conclusion. She informs Ronald that he struck her and was with Cecile, leading the two men to fight. In an effort to separate them, Annette is pushed into the path of oncoming traffic. Tragically, Sebastian shoves her out of harm’s way, but ends up being hit himself instead. Despite managing to save her (and thereby demonstrating his affection), he dies before they can reconcile.

The series portrays a comparable narrative progression for Lucien, yet offers viewers a less melancholic conclusion in its last installment. Instead of a historical chronicle of his conquests, Lucien possesses a more contemporary collection of videos featuring the women he was intimate with. Similar to Sebastian, he spurns his stepsister following their wager. In reaction, Caroline disseminates these videos (with the exception of the one involving Annie) throughout campus.

In his haste to reach Annie’s dormitory, Lucien encounters his step-sister there instead. A heated disagreement, much like Sebastian and Kathryn’s, ensues, and Lucien, like before, fabricates his feelings for Annie. The series concludes with a scene of Lucien disregarding Annie’s phone calls as he drives away, leaving his destination unclear. For now, the audience can take comfort in the fact that Lucien doesn’t meet an untimely end and may reappear if the show is renewed for another season.

Kathryn Gets What’s Coming to Her but Caroline Doesn’t (Yet)

1999’s film “Cruel Intentions” concludes with a traditional karmic ending, where characters’ tales intertwine. Annette uncovers Kathryn’s role in Sebastian’s unfortunate demise and decides to provide him peace by damaging Kathryn’s esteemed standing. She duplicates Sebastian’s journal, focusing on the sections revealing Kathryn’s wicked deeds, then disseminates these copies throughout Manchester College. Consequently, everyone ultimately recognizes Kathryn’s true nature behind her flawless appearance and turns against her.

Instead, the series appears to conclude with Caroline maintaining her position. Annie ultimately decides to join Caroline’s sorority, helping to enhance its standing as she aimed from the very first episode. Annie and Lucien part ways following his rejection of Caroline, a move that inflicts upon him the pain he had previously inflicted on her. Moreover, CeCe’s diversionary romance comes to an end (allowing her to devote herself once more to Caroline’s requirements).

Despite achieving her goal, the hidden flaws in Caroline start to emerge, as her friendship with CeCe exposes some of Caroline’s deceitful actions. Specifically, when Caroline exploits CeCe’s painful past for her own benefit in gaining Annie’s trust, it becomes clear that Caroline’s victory may be short-lived. As her friends grow more suspicious of her true intentions, a potential new season hints at Caroline experiencing a fall similar to Kathryn’s decline.

Cruel Intentions is now streaming on Prime Video.

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2024-12-01 01:08