Scrolling through any streaming platform for your next watch may evoke a strong sense of Déjà vu. Teen dramas specifically have been taking inspiration from the 90s and early 2000s, like the 2021 Gossip Girl revival. The most recent example is the 2024 TV adaptation revival of the risqué 90s classic, Cruel Intentions, developed by Phoebe Fisher and Sara Goodman. The inevitable risk is comparison: can the remake live up to the original? Read on for a recap of the OG Cruel Intentions and to find out whether or not the remake does it justice.
Cruel Intentions (1999)
The dark teen romantic drama made headlines back in the day for its provocative characters and controversial plot. Twisted and wealthy step-siblings Sebastian Valmont (Ryan Phillipe) and Kathryn Merteuil (Sarah Michelle Gellar) control the social lives of the students at their Manhattan prep school. Everyone is a pawn in their competitive game for power. The newest pawn arrives in the form of Annette Hargrove (Reese Witherspoon), daughter of the school’s headmaster and young public figure who has publicly vowed to wait until marriage. Scheming Kathryn and the womanizing Sebastian form an agreement: if Sebastian woos Annette and sabotages her plans of purity, he gets Kathryn, the one woman he can’t have. If he fails, Kathryn gets his vintage Jaguar. There is also the naïve Cecile Caldwell (Selma Blair) who Kathryn takes under her wing to turn her into a model student, which turns out to be a guise to get back at Cecile’s ex.
In the end, the plot twists as Sebastian falls for Annette and the object of the bet no longer matters to him. Annette discovers the siblings’ scheme and Sebastian chases after her, confessing his love. When a taxi cab comes speeding out of nowhere, Sebastian pushes Annette into safety and gets hit himself. A few weeks later, the student body gathers for Sebastian’s funeral. Kathryn’s winning speech about mourning her stepbrother and his devious ways is ultimately interrupted when papers are distributed among the class. These papers turn out to be copies of Sebastian’s journal physically distributed by Cecile, who is newly enlightened about Kathryn’s schemes and joined forces with Sebastian to tear her down. The journal details his innermost thoughts, including the truth about Kathryn’s schemes and the illegal substance she carries in her cross necklace. Kathryn’s reputation is destroyed. Meanwhile, Annette drives away in Sebastian’s Jaguar, with Sebastian’s journal and a fond love for him.
Cruel Intentions (2024 TV Series)
The modern adaptation is set in the world of college Greek life. At the top of the social hierarchy, step-siblings Caroline Mertuil (Sarah Catherine Hook) and Lucien Belmont (Zac Burgess) exercise control over everyone below them. When Caroline’s sorority standing is threatened by a hazing scandal, she finds a solution in the form of Annie Grover (Savannah Smith, who is also a main cast member of the Gossip Girl remake), a new transfer student and daughter of the Vice President of the United States. Caroline makes a deal with Lucien that if he can seduce the innocent Annie Grover into pledging Caroline’s sorority, she will give herself to him. If he fails, she gets his vintage car. The core bet and dynamic of the duo remain the same as the original, but the context has a slightly modern college twist.
The additional storylines focus on Cece Carroway (Sara Silva), inspired by Cecile, Caroline’s minion and rush assistant, who falls in love with the professor she TAs for. There is also Scott (Khobe Clarke), the dim-witted yet lovable president of Lucien’s fraternity, and the mastermind behind Scott’s presidency, Blaise (John Harlan Kim), who happens to also be sleeping with Scott.
Given that the remake is a show, the series ends on a cliffhanger with the intention of extending the plot into an additional season. Videos, anonymously distributed by Caroline, surface of Sebastian and his many intimate escapades. Though he falls for Annie, he decides to protect her by giving into people’s expectations of him instead of trying to prove his innocence. Caroline seemingly wins. Annie pledges the sorority, yet begins to catch up on Caroline’s true identity. Cece does the same. In the last scene, Lucien leaves his stepmother’s house (after committing more twisted acts) and drives away in his car with Caroline’s cocaine-filled necklace by his side.
Did the Adaptation Succeed?
The series and its modern twist certainly had potential. Nevertheless, fans are saying it ultimately missed the mark.
Perhaps this negative response is the fateful mark of comparison. In both versions, the plot is meant to surround sex and its complications. The adaptation maintains this theme, but turns down some of the heat and controversy. This may be a reality of the lessened shock value of sex over the years, or the idea that some movies from the 90s could never have been released today due to their less empathetic way of dealing with fragile topics.
The seriousness the remake places on Greek life is almost comical. This was a missed opportunity for a more satirical approach, however, this earnestness may also reflect the reality of being stuck in the world of Greek life and feeling there is more at stake than there actually is.
Despite its critics, the series managed to win over some viewers (and inspire a few TikTok edits, of course).
Sarah Catherine Hook and Zac Burgess may not have the same draw as the 90s icons, but they do hold their own. Hook manages to portray a mean girl with depth. Burgess harbors the boyish ego and charm of the original Sebastian, while still showing marks of a real human. They are more realistic depictions of college students compared to the hyperbolic demonic OG characters. Annie, while she has her moments, is easily swayed by others and could use some character development. The chemistry between her and Lucien is also a bit lackluster. Perhaps within the context of Season 2, Annie’s character may develop more intrigue.
An underrated standout character in the remake is Cece. She speeds up the often slow or dull scenes with humor and lovable chaos and definitely deserves redemption.
But will the series get this opportunity for an additional season? Its Rotten Tomatoes score is an underwhelming 33%. Although the possibility of a Season 2 is not looking too promising, you never know with the oscillating state of the TV industry. Still, this lukewarm reception and Gossip Girl’s recent flop may be a sign that modern renditions of classics are not worth the risk and no remake can truly live up to the original.
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