90s Kids Rejoice! Iconic Film Now a Thrilling Series on Prime Video

What’s It About?

Set in a prestigious Washington university, two ruthless half-siblings will do whatever it takes to maintain their dominance. Following a harsh hazing incident that threatens the entire university system, they are determined to preserve their power and status—even if it means seducing the daughter of the U.S. Vice President.

Who’s in It?

The series features an emerging young cast led by Sarah Catherine Hook, known for her roles in “The Conjuring 3,” “First Kill,” and soon in “The White Lotus” Season 3.

She stars alongside Zac Burgess, who has made a mark with Travis Fimmel in the Australian series “The Boy and the Universe,” and Savannah Lee Smith, seen in the “Gossip Girl” reboot.

The rest of the cast includes John Harlan Kim (“9-1-1,” “The Last Thing He Told Me”), Khobe Clarke (“Yellowjackets”), Brooke Lena Johnson (“The Intruders”), Sara Silva, and Sean Patrick Thomas, who intriguingly returns in a new role from the original “Cruel Intentions” movie.

Is It Worth a Look?

Twenty-five years ago, a generation was captivated by the cult classic film “Cruel Intentions,” and its devilishly clever adaptations of Sarah Michelle Gellar, Ryan Philippe, Reese Witherspoon, and Selma Blair from the modern take on the famous novel Dangerous Liaisons by Choderlos De Laclos.

The sexy and provocative drama directed by Roger Kumble, a hallmark of early 2000s young adult films, now returns as a series tasked with living up to its legacy.

A Teen Series Overshadowed by a Cult Classic

The show, created by Sarah Goodman (“Gossip Girl,” “I Know What You Did Last Summer”) and Phoebe Fisher (“I Know What You Did Last Summer”), clings heavily (perhaps too much) to the 1999 film, with very similar plot elements and identical characters who merely change names.

For instance, we see Caroline (Kathryn) issuing the same challenge to Lucien (Sebastian) to seduce the new student Annie (Annette), with a night with her as the prize; Caroline’s cross necklace filled with cocaine; Lucien’s multiple conquests, including a therapist; poolside intimacy scenes; a gay character who thrives on the secrets of his hidden affairs; and even a kiss between two women as practice.

The “Cruel Intentions” series openly draws from its source, even featuring adapted versions of iconic songs from the movie like Every You, Every Me by Placebo and Bittersweet Symphony by The Verve, to set the tone for certain episodes.

While it may seem overshadowed by the film’s legacy, the series is definitely aimed at a new generation who may not have seen the original movie or are unfamiliar with Dangerous Liaisons.

…But It Plays to Contemporary Tastes

This new array of manipulative, cruel, yet sensitive and tormented characters should appeal to fans of modern young adult series with its vibrant pop aesthetics, charismatic young actors, and numerous twists.

Somewhere between “Maxton Hall,” “Gossip Girl,” and “Tell Me Lies,” this new iteration of “Cruel Intentions” has everything to be an engaging diversion, although original film fans might cringe at times.

The sense of nostalgia and the addictive nature of such shows still manage to spice up binge-watching sessions, which should be brief since the series currently spans only 8 episodes.

If “Cruel Intentions” fits perfectly into the new genre of teen dramas thriving on streaming platforms, it also touches on current social issues, albeit superficially, like campus rape culture, bullying, and sexist power dynamics within fraternities and sororities.

The series “Cruel Intentions” is available on Prime Video.