While Prime Video’s Cruel Intentions is a new version of the story, the show still recreated many iconic scenes from the classic film.
Based on a modern retelling of Pierre Choderlos de Laclos‘ novel Les Liaisons Dangereuses, the original Cruel Intentions film was released in 1999. The movie told the story of Annette (Reese Witherspoon), who became a pawn in a sexual conquest wager between step siblings Sebastian (Ryan Phillippe) and Kathryn (Sarah Michelle Gellar).
Multiple attempts to recreate the Cruel Intentions magic resulted in some sequel films and a pilot that was never released. Prime Video had the most success with their TV adaptation, which starred Sarah Catherine Hook, Zac Burgess and Savannah Lee Smith in the titular roles.
Before the show premiered, however, the cast threw Us for a loop when they revealed they weren’t allowed to consult the movie for inspiration.
“We got pretty strict instructions which were, ‘Do not copy the original.’ And I had not seen the original at that point and I think for me — if I was to watch it — I’d be unconsciously influenced,” Burgess, who played Lucien, exclusively told Us Weekly in November 2024. “I didn’t want to replicate Ryan’s performance because it is a cult classic, and he did such a wonderful job the first time. It’s a new chapter to the series.”
Hook, meanwhile, had already seen the movie multiple times.
“I was really discouraged to do anything Sarah Michelle Gellar did. But of course, I think her gorgeous performance was just running rampant in my brain and I couldn’t avoid it,” the actress admitted to Us. “But honestly, I tried more to pull from the regalness of Glenn Close in Dangerous Liasons. So I think I leaned a little bit more in her direction — mostly because I was told not to go Sarah Michelle Gellar, and we didn’t want to copy her already iconic performance.”
While speaking to Us, showrunners Sara Goodman and Phoebe Fisher broke down the balance between paying tribute and creating something new.
“Part of the fun of getting to take on this project is getting the opportunity to expand on all of these characters and all of these dynamics that we’ve set up in the pilot while still paying homage to the original source material,” Fisher said before Goodman added, “We didn’t want to alienate fans of the movie. We’re fans of the movie so we definitely wanted to keep the tone and those little references that we all love.”
Keep scrolling to see which iconic scenes from the Cruel Intentions movie were recreated in Prime Video’s TV version:
Making a Proper Entrance
The 1999 film introduced Sebastian as a wealthy teenager who manipulates and seduces women — while driving a nice car. Sebastian’s car from the movie was a 1956 Jaguar Roadster and the show mirrored that with Lucien.
Lucien’s Questionable Creative Interests
Phillippe’s version took photographs of his conquests, while Burgess’ character filmed his sexual encounters before uploading them into a shared folder with his step sister.
The Necklace
Some things never change. In the Cruel Intentions universe that means having the lead character storing cocaine in a cross necklace.
Heating Up the Screen
The Cruel Intentions show has Us more invested in the twisted connection between the stepsiblings. Part of that though is the chemistry and while the actors might be different, the moves are not.
The Kiss We Are Still Talking About
Over the years, Gellar and Blair probably got asked the same two questions: are there plans for a Cruel Intentions reboot or revival — and what was it like filming that kiss? Prime Video couldn’t adapt the original without paying tribute to one of the most memorable moments. This time around though, it was Caroline and Annie who kissed.
Adding in a Pool Scene
The road to romance — both in the movie and on the show — required a scene at the pool. Sebastian and Annette had their first real conversation while in the water and Lucien and Annie mirrored that experience. It seemed to go over better for Lucien and Annie — but not for long.
Almost Having Sex Before Feelings Get in the Way
For a guy like Sebastian (or Lucien), it isn’t until he is about to have sex with Annette/Annie that he realizes the weight of his feelings. Sebastian hit the brakes as things were getting too intimate for him in the movie and that led to him declaring his love for Annette. The Prime Video version also had a pause but Lucien didn’t seem quite there emotionally.
Finally Acting on Their Feelings for Each Other
Just like the movie, Prime Video’s version didn’t waste time with the wager. Annette decided to have sex with Sebastian after they grew closer and Lucien and Annie had the same outcome. The difference? Annie nearly slept with Scott (Khobe Clarke) because she wasn’t waiting until marriage to have sex.
Breaking It Off
The split between Annette and Sebastian was quick in the movie but Lucien and Annie were dealt a different hand. The biggest change was having Caroline and Annie interact since the premiere, which was a departure from the movie not letting Kathryn and Annette share the screen until the last few minutes.
As a result, Sebastian and Annette’s breakup didn’t stick because he was determined to fight for her. The show made that more difficult with Caroline showing up as Lucien and Annie were trying to work things out — ultimately making things worse.
That Parting Shot
In the movie, Annette exposed Kathryn before driving off in Sebastian’s car while rocking his glasses with his journal in tow. The Cruel Intentions series spared Lucien — for now — and let him have the last laugh as he drove off into the sunset with The Verve’s “Bitter Sweet Symphony” playing in the background.