Cruel Intentions

Play trailer

2:19

Cruel Intentions

R

1999

1h 37m

Drama

Play Trailer

Watchlist

Watchlist

Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

54%

Tomatometer

118 Reviews

80%

Popcornmeter

250,000+ Ratings

Annette (Reese Witherspoon) unwittingly becomes a pawn in Sebastian's (Ryan Phillippe) and Kathryn's (Sarah Michelle Gellar) deliciously diabolical wager of sexual conquest when she writes an article in Seventeen Magazine about how she intends to stay pure until she marries her boyfriend. However, Sebastian gets more than he bargained for as he attempts to woo Annette into his bed.

Watch on Fandango at Home

Stream Now

Critics Consensus

This darkly comic drama and its attractive young cast are easy on the eyes, but uneven performances and an uninspired script conspire to foil Cruel Intentions.

Read Critics Reviews

Kristy Puchko

Pajiba

03/27/2019

20 years later, you can see the charm that made Witherspoon a star, appreciate Blair's comedic splendor, and recognize that Phillippe was handsome and is also in this movie.

Go to Full Review

Kevin Thomas

Los Angeles Times

03/21/2019

Cruel Intentions is a stretch for all concerned, including the targeted audience, one that pays off handsomely--and works for older moviegoers as well.

Go to Full Review

Andrew Sarris

Observer

03/21/2019

At this infantile level of appraisal, I suspect that Ms. Gellar and Mr. Phillippe may have a harder time next summer than last.

Go to Full Review

Simon Gallagher

Screen Rant

11/19/2024

8/10

A steamy, provocative teen drama with improbably high stakes that you really shouldn't watch with your parents. Or your kids. Or your step brother.

Go to Full Review

Dennis Schwartz

Dennis Schwartz Movie Reviews

07/21/2024

C+

Rings false and cynical.

Go to Full Review

Mike Massie

Gone With The Twins

08/08/2023

5/10

Though it’s utterly devoid of upright morals and wholesome characters, there’s something amusing about how dastardly and conniving the two leads can be.

Go to Full Review

Read all reviews

Steven T.

@CEOMillenial1 Jan 20

This is quintessential 90s cinema. And the plot which was written in 242 years ago, translates well. Star making performances. Watch atleast once!

See more

Alecia C

@CountryGirl Dec 28

I’ve never cried so much at a movie in my entire life. I’m a people pleaser and this movie changed everything I thought I knew about trusting people. What a cinematic masterpiece. Is the company paying my therapy bill lol.

See more

Jack F

@MovieFan111 Dec 11

I thought it was a great movie. Loved the cast. It's always those 1999 movies that seem special.

See more

Jerod S

@jeroduptown Aug 25

It's a sex-centric version of mean bro and sis at college. Witherspoon plays the prude - and Jude is the one pursuing her.

See more

Vince C

Aug 8

When I saw it 20 years ago I thought it was witty, I recall. Today I can't really see much wit in it. It's just a come-uppance tale of two nasty brats without aetiology for their personality disorders, but it's supposed to be tragic because the guy, who's not much better than a psychopath, dies when he falls in love for the first time (no, I don't think it's meant to be symbolic). SMG's acting is cardboard in places. I read the book 30 or more years ago. Don't particularly want to read it again.

See more

Zander .

Jul 26

It was pretty good, just watch out since it has sex scenes within the like first 20 minutes

See more

Read all reviews

Read More

Read Less

POST RATING

WRITE A REVIEW

EDIT REVIEW

Roger Kumble

Director

Sarah Michelle Gellar

Kathryn Merteuil

Ryan Phillippe

Sebastian Valmont

Reese Witherspoon

Annette Hargrove

Selma Blair

Cecile Caldwell

Louise Fletcher

Helen Rosemond

Cruel intentions: Official Clip - The Black Man is Gone

1:36

Cruel Intentions: Official Clip - Practice Makes Perfect

2:06

Cruel Intentions: Official Clip - It's Not You, It's Me

2:13

Cruel Intentions: Official Clip - Funny Faces

1:47

Cruel Intentions: Official Clip - Kathryn's Triumph

2:02

Cruel Intentions: Official Clip - The Bet

2:12

Cruel Intentions: Official Clip - Sebastians' Journal

2:12

Cruel Intentions: Official Clip - Getting to First Base

2:10

View more videos

Closer

67%

81%

Closer

Watchlist

Girl, Interrupted

53%

84%

Girl, Interrupted

Watchlist

TRAILER

for Girl, Interrupted

Cruel Intentions II

18%

21%

Cruel Intentions II

Watchlist

The Big Town

50%

35%

The Big Town

Watchlist

Taxi Driver

89%

93%

Taxi Driver

Watchlist

TRAILER

for Taxi Driver

Discover more movies and TV shows.

View More

Why 1999 Was The Ultimate Year for Teen Movies

Us Is Certified Fresh

Laverne Cox Will Play Rocky Horror‘s Frank-N-Furter, Plus Other TV News

Cruel Intentions: Cruel Intentions - Best Scenes

8:49

Cruel Intentions: Re-Release Trailer

2:19

View more videos

View more photos

Synopsis

Annette (Reese Witherspoon) unwittingly becomes a pawn in Sebastian's (Ryan Phillippe) and Kathryn's (Sarah Michelle Gellar) deliciously diabolical wager of sexual conquest when she writes an article in Seventeen Magazine about how she intends to stay pure until she marries her boyfriend. However, Sebastian gets more than he bargained for as he attempts to woo Annette into his bed.

Director: Roger Kumble
Producer: Neal H. Moritz
Screenwriter: Roger Kumble
Distributor: Columbia Pictures, Sony Pictures Entertainment
Production Co: Columbia Pictures, Newmarket Capital Group
Rating: R (Language|Drug Use|Sexual Situations|Strong Sexual Dialogue)
Genre: Drama
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Mar 5, 1999, Wide
Rerelease Date (Theaters): Mar 22, 2019
Release Date (Streaming): Mar 28, 2014
Box Office (Gross USA): $38.6M
Runtime: 1h 37m
Sound Mix: Dolby Stereo, Dolby A, SDDS, Surround, Dolby Digital, Dolby SR
Aspect Ratio: Flat (1.85:1)

Most Popular at Home Now