The humid New York air hangs heavy, thick with secrets and unspoken desires. In the opulent world of Manhattan’s elite, innocence is a commodity bartered and broken. Kathryn Merteuil, a master of manipulation with a glacial smile, surveys her domain, bored and restless. Her stepbrother, the seductive Sebastian Valmont, arrives, fueling their twisted game of power and control. This summer, they’ve devised a cruel new challenge: corrupting the virtuous Annette Hargrove, daughter of the headmaster, a seemingly impossible feat. But Sebastian, driven by Kathryn’s daring proposition – and the ultimate prize of possessing her – accepts the wager. Meanwhile, the naive Cecile Caldwell becomes an unwitting pawn in their elaborate scheme, her vulnerability a temptation too irresistible to ignore. As lines blur and hearts become collateral damage, the players will discover that even the most carefully laid plans can unravel when faced with the unpredictable force of love and its treacherous counterpart, betrayal.
Movie Overview
| Title | Cruel Intentions |
|---|---|
| Release Date | 1999-03-05 |
| Runtime | 98 minutes |
| Genre | Drama, Romance |
Movie Cast
| Name | Character |
|---|---|
| Ryan Phillippe | Sébastian Valmont |
| Sarah Michelle Gellar | Kathryn Merteuil |
| Reese Witherspoon | Annette Hargrove |
| Selma Blair | Cecile Caldwell |
| Louise Fletcher | Helen Rosemond |
| Joshua Jackson | Blaine Tuttle |
| Eric Mabius | Greg McConnell |
| Sean Patrick Thomas | Ronald Clifford |
| Alaina Reed Hall | Nurse |
| Hiep Thi Le | Mai-Lee |
| Deborah Offner | Mrs. Michalak |
| Tara Reid | Marci Greenbaum |
| Drew Snyder | Headmaster Hargrove |
| Herta Ware | Mrs. Sugarman |
| Swoosie Kurtz | Dr. Greenbaum |
| Christine Baranski | Bunny Caldwell |
| Charlie O’Connell | Court Reynolds |
| Fred Norris | Meter Maid |
| Ginger Williams | Clorissa |
Storyline
In the opulent world of Manhattan’s elite, step-siblings Kathryn Merteuil and Sebastian Valmont engage in a twisted game of manipulation and seduction. Kathryn, embittered by her ex-boyfriend’s public betrayal, proposes a scandalous wager to the notorious womanizer, Sebastian. His mission: to strip Annette Hargrove, the virtuous daughter of the headmaster, of her virginity. Should Sebastian succeed, Kathryn promises him the ultimate prize – herself. But if he fails, Sebastian must forfeit his prized vintage Jaguar to Kathryn’s possession. As Sebastian sets his sights on Annette, he simultaneously manipulates the naive Cecile Caldwell, a recent acquaintance and target of Kathryn’s vengeful schemes, leading her down a path of sexual awakening and scandal with the help of Blaine Tuttle, a friend with a history of his own secrets. However, as Sebastian delves deeper into his pursuit of Annette, he unexpectedly finds himself falling for her genuine goodness, challenging his callous worldview and disrupting the carefully constructed web of deceit spun by Kathryn. The game takes a dangerous turn when Cecile, under Kathryn’s influence, spirals out of control, threatening to expose their machinations. Ultimately, Sebastian must choose between his twisted desires and the genuine love he’s discovered with Annette, leading to a tragic climax where the consequences of their cruel intentions are revealed, leaving Kathryn exposed and Sebastian paying the ultimate price for his redemption.
Details
Set against the backdrop of Manhattan’s opulent Upper East Side, Cruel Intentions is a darkly seductive drama centered on the manipulative games of step-siblings Kathryn Merteuil and Sebastian Valmont. Bored and cynical, Kathryn, played by Sarah Michelle Gellar, challenges Sebastian, portrayed by Ryan Phillippe, to a twisted bet: to seduce the virtuous Annette Hargrove (Reese Witherspoon), the headmaster’s daughter, who has publicly vowed to remain a virgin until marriage. If Sebastian succeeds, he wins the ultimate prize – a night with Kathryn herself. However, should he fail, Kathryn gets to claim Sebastian’s prized vintage Jaguar. As Sebastian embarks on his pursuit of Annette, he also finds himself entangled with the naive Cecile Caldwell (Selma Blair), a young woman whom Kathryn seeks to corrupt out of spite for her mother, Bunny Caldwell (Christine Baranski). The intricate web of deceit, desire, and revenge soon spirals out of control, blurring the lines between game and reality. Sebastian, initially driven by the thrill of the conquest, unexpectedly finds himself falling for Annette’s genuine goodness, leading to a dangerous clash with Kathryn, who will stop at nothing to win. The film explores themes of power, control, and the destructive nature of manipulation, ultimately questioning the consequences of playing with people’s lives in the pursuit of personal gratification.
FAQs
“`html
What is the movie “Cruel Intentions” about?
The movie revolves around wealthy step-siblings, Kathryn and Sebastian, who engage in manipulative games of seduction and betrayal.
When was “Cruel Intentions” released?
The movie was released on March 5, 1999.
Who are the main actors in “Cruel Intentions”?
The main actors are Ryan Phillippe, Sarah Michelle Gellar, Reese Witherspoon, and Selma Blair.
What genres does “Cruel Intentions” fall under?
The movie is classified as Drama and Romance.
What is the basic plot of “Cruel Intentions”?
Kathryn challenges Sebastian to seduce Annette, the headmaster’s virtuous daughter. If he succeeds, he gets Kathryn; if he fails, she gets his prized possession.
What is the tagline for “Cruel Intentions”?
The tagline is: In the game of seduction, there is only one rule: Never fall in love.
Who directed “Cruel Intentions”?
The movie was directed by Roger Kumble.
What production companies were involved in “Cruel Intentions”?
Production companies included Columbia Pictures, Newmarket Capital Group, Original Film, and Neal H. Moritz Productions.
What is the runtime of “Cruel Intentions”?
The movie has a runtime of 98 minutes.
Is there a “Cruel Intentions” collection?
Yes, the movie belongs to the “Cruel Intentions Collection”.
“`
