‘Cruel Intentions’ Review | Soap Puts the Guilt in Guilty Pleasure

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As a seasoned viewer of countless high school and college dramas, I must admit that I was initially drawn to Cruel Intentions by its tantalizing title and the promise of a modern take on a classic story. However, after binge-watching all ten episodes, I can’t help but feel a tad underwhelmed.

If Gossip Girl, The OC, Dawson’s Creek, and Maxton Hall: The World Between Us all snuggled up together with a sneaky, suspicious step-sibling, you would be in the midst of the sensual, dramatic love triangle depicted in Cruel Intentions. This new Prime Video series is a provocative contemporary remake of the 1999 film adaptation, starring Sarah Michelle Gellar, Reese Witherspoon, and Ryan Phillippe. It was originally based on Les Liaisons Dangereuses.

Oh, the many wicked webs this series spins, most of them far too over the top to feel grounded in reality, but hey, we’re in the TikTok era, so if audiences are prone to stop and enjoy a social media live stream of some buffed shirtless fella or watch a middle-aged woman clean her kitchen in nothing but underwear, why not a Cruel Intentions series? There’s more than enough flesh-on-flesh in this series, and even more talk about it, in fact. Beyond the sex, there are other things to enjoy here as the show sails ambitiously through a season filled with schemes, love affairs, cultural observations on — what’s this? — fascism and misogyny, and a bevy of plot twists as key players vie for power within the Greek university system.

The Guilty Pleasures of ‘Cruel Intentions’

Showrunner Sara Goodman, with her extensive experience from shows like Preacher, Gossip Girl, and TV’s I Know What You Did Last Summer, seems to be drawing upon proven successes to establish a captivating blueprint for this series. The story follows the privileged students of Manchester College, a prestigious Washington D.C.-area university where social status reigns supreme. Expect plenty of fraternities, sororities, and the drama surrounding acceptance into these exclusive circles, as they view these groups as stepping stones to something grander beyond college. Unfortunately, it seems they missed out on watching a film like Cruel Intentions, which could have served as a more enlightening guide for their antics.

In this setting, let’s dive in! Have a blast throughout. This is a bit naughty, yet amusing. Introducing Alpha Femme Caroline Merteuil (portrayed by Sarah Catherine Hook), the head of her sorority and an epitome of elegance. Caroline is constantly worried about maintaining her position at school, and she, along with her step-brother Lucien Belmont (played by Zac Burgess), who exudes arrogance, are set on achieving their goals. A hazing incident from the past has put a damper on the entire Greek Life system, compelling Caroline to take any measures necessary to preserve its influence and prestige.

Hi there, Savannah Lee Smith, also known as Annie Grover. You’re quite an interesting figure to consider. Annie is the daughter of the Vice President of the United States and she’s exceptionally intelligent. However, Lucien has been relentless in his pursuit and seems overly interested in a family relationship that’s somewhat uncomfortable. His objective? If he can win Annie over and convince her to join Caroline’s sorority – which would boost Caroline’s position – then his stepsister might finally reciprocate his feelings. It’s quite a wild dance of ambition and familial ties!

Simultaneously, various personalities populate what’s referred to as the royal court. For instance, we have the duo Blaise and Scott (John Harlan Kim and Khobe Clark), where Blaise is a cunning and somewhat rigid character, often involved in secret schemes. The character of Cece Carroway (Sara Silva) may try your patience due to her excessive OCD tendencies, which she seems to pass on to Caroline. As the series progresses, Cece’s role as TA to Sean Patrick Thomas’ Professor Hank Chadwick hints at something sinister brewing in the background. Despite the abundance of characters and situations, the show maintains a smooth pace, making it easy to follow even when events take a darker turn.

Sick Step-Siblings Take a Course in Sex & Backstabbing

In this contemporary reimagining, we are told that hearts will be shattered, allegiances will be questioned, and hidden truths will surface. As promised, these events unfold, but the showrunner, Sara Goodman, is intent on keeping the narrative dynamic by avoiding prolonged focus on any single event or revelation. This pace propels the journey forward, leaving one to ponder what might occur if we were to pause for reflection. Indeed, the characters seem in need of a moment’s respite; beneath Caroline’s mystical demeanor lies an individual profoundly impacted by her past. A therapist could likely find fertile ground (and potentially lucrative opportunities) exploring the intricate dynamics of their complex attraction and devotion to one another.

The two characters form a strong duo of adversaries, reminiscent of past soap opera antagonists such as Fallon from “Dynasty” and Oliver from “The O.C.” Sarah Catherine Hook brings an exciting edge to the show, while Zac Burgess, although convincing, is initially given dialogue and scenes that don’t fully utilize his acting talents. It seems that this character-in-development spends a lot of time preening for his next romantic target – it appears he does so quite frequently.

There’s a nice spin in later episodes with Caroline and Lucien. Some of the main differences from the original movie include: Sean Patrick Thomas, who was piano teacher Ronald Clifford in the 1999 film, plays a different character and must deal with CeCe’s ambitious nature. CeCe, in fact, is based on the character of Cecile from the film (played by Selma Blair). The character of Annette (Reese Witherspoon in the original) is simply Annie.

To put it another way, the plot revolves around Vice President’s daughter Annie, portrayed by Savannah Lee Smith from “Gossip Girl”. This sets up a complex love triangle, but like many family dramas, it challenges the loyalty of characters. Specifically, the bond between Caroline and Lucien could snap at any time. Meanwhile, the series offers glimpses into college life, particularly Greek life, where students at an elite institution navigate their social agendas. This provides a glimpse into the prestigious academic environment, but the high-society (wealthy) students’ actions often cause trouble. It seems they could benefit from better behavior.

‘Cruel Intentions’ Fails to Rise Above Its Own Debauchery

The look and feel of the college setting is believable, as the showrunner effectively drop us into this Cruel universe, making us want to return to it. It helps that there are great bitchy lines. “You don’t have feelings,” purrs one character. “You are devoid, soulless, and so incredibly f***ing stupid. The only way you can get off is if you’re doing it for me.” Ouch!

The narrative weaves in party and intimate scenes, and while it earns praise for delving into the vulnerabilities of its main characters, it doesn’t quite rise above its content. Instead, it often veers towards melodramatic soap operas, sacrificing opportunities to explore deeper truths, significance, and potential character transformations. Typically, shows like this save their bigger revelations for the final episodes.

The new adaptation of “Cruel Intentions” appears to be an instant hit, despite its resemblance to other high school and college dramas that seem like variations on a theme of their predecessor, “Cruel Intentions.” Nonetheless, indulge in the experience. Feel free to binge whenever you want. It’s okay to have another guilty pleasure, as this series effortlessly fits the bill. You might feel the need for a shower after viewing, but until then, immerse yourself. Stream “Cruel Intentions” on Prime Video starting November 21. Click the link below to watch:

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2024-11-21 23:35