Cruel Intentions – a film responsible for many a sexual awakening, the marriage between Reese Witherspoon and Ryan Phillippe, and a faultless soundtrack – is getting a TV reboot. While one could argue the 1999 cult classic is perfect as it is (minus the strange, soft incest plot line) and no one could possibly hold a candle to Sarah Michelle Gellar, we must admit that we're certainly intrigued. Now, Amazon has shared the first trailer for the eight-episode series, and our fascination has certainly intensified.
It must be said, recent attempts at revisiting cult 90s classics have not exactly proved to be a fruitful. One need only watch the first five minutes of Netflix's train wreck He's All That to get the gist. But with Phoebe Fisher – producer for Euphoria – and Gossip Girl writer Sara Goodman developing the series, we're confident that the reboot is in safe hands and that they can deliver us a series that not only isn't a disaster, but one that does the OG justice. All the important details below.
Watch the first trailer for the Cruel Intentions TV reboot
What is the TV reboot of Cruel Intentions about?
As for the plot? There's going to be a few key differences to Kumble's 1999 – I daresay – masterpiece. As we know, the original film was loosely based off of Les Liaisons Dangereuses, a novel by Choderlos de Laclos and the TV show will follow suit. But this time around the the reboot will set amongst the Greek sororities at an elite college in Washington D.C.
According to Deadline the series will focus on “two ruthless step-siblings who will do anything to stay on top. In this case, of the Greek life hierarchy at an elite Washington DC college. After a brutal hazing incident threatens the entire Panhellenic system, they’ll do whatever’s necessary to preserve their power and reputations – even seduce the daughter of the vice president of the United States.” If they're talking about it-girl Ella Emhoff then, honestly, I can't say I blame them.
Showrunners Sara Goodman and Phoebe Fisher told Entertainment Weekly that there would definitely be callbacks to the original film.
“Part of the conversation was: How do we stay true to everything we loved about the movie but put it in a world that we haven’t necessarily seen before?” Goodman shared. “There’s the car. The cross necklace, ‘Bitter Sweet Symphony." Fisher added, “Step siblings who do it all.”
Who is set to star in the Cruel Intentions TV series?
Amazon have finally announced an official cast list for the reboot, starring a host of up-and-comers of the small screen. We'll see Sarah Catherine Hook as Caroline, Zac Burgess as Lucien and Khobe Clarke as Scott (you may know him from Yellowjackets). We'll also be seeing Brooke Lena Johnson as Beatrice, Sara Silva as as CeCe, John Harlan Kim as Blaise, and Myra Molloy as Annie.
The original film's Sean Patrick Thomas (who played Cecile's music teacher Ronald) will also be back on screen as Professor Chadwick.
See the first photos from the Cruel Intentions TV series
When and where can I watch the Cruel Intentions TV reboot?
The series is slated to premiere on 21 November, 2024, on Amazon’s Prime Video.
Featured image: Amazon, IMDb.
