Why Cruel Intentions Keeps Getting Adapted: Backstabbing Lovers Are Timeless

Why Cruel Intentions Keeps Getting Adapted: Backstabbing Lovers Is Timeless

Welcome to MsMojo, and today we’re uncovering the sordid history of “Cruel Intentions” from its controversial source material to its 2024 reboot on Amazon Prime.

The ‘90s

In 1999, film critics were divided over a teen thriller adapted from an unlikely source. A ‘90s-tastic classic, “Cruel Intentions” made waves for its hot cast, dark comedic tone, and the revelation that it’s based on an 18th century novel. Despite mixed reviews at the time, its blend of scandal, betrayal, and high-society drama has since captivated audiences and solidified its cult status. The 2024 TV reboot is just the latest in a long string of adaptations, proving that, if there’s one thing we can’t get enough of, it’s rich, backstabbing lovers.

The Book That Shocked Europe

The story was first penned by Pierre Choderlos de Laclos[a] in his novel titled “Les Liaisons Dangereuses”, known in English as “Dangerous Liaisons.” Told in epistolary form, Laclos’ most famous work tells of aristocrats locked in a diabolical game of seduction and obsession. Marquise de Merteuil and Vicomte de Valmont are two nobles whose mutually beneficial plans to sexually corrupt two young women end up ruining their lives and reputations. Laclos’ book was released to a public furor in the early 1780s. It’s said that Marie Antoinette’s copy of the book was bound with a blank cover so no one could identify it. Naturally, its scandalousness only meant that more people wanted to consume it in any form.

From Scandalous Novel to Prestigious Drama

“Dangerous Liaisons” may be a literary classic, but its themes of sexual domination and manipulation would be hard to sugarcoat even in the most censored retelling. Only a few film adaptations were made before the 1980s. One of these was helmed by boundary-pushing French director Roger Vadim[b], who updated the story to fit 1950s France. Merteuil and Valmont’s sadistic plans gained new life in the mid-1980s. Playwright Christopher Hampton’s English language theatrical adaptation opened on the West End in 1986 and transferred to Broadway the next year. Actress Lindsay Duncan and future Severus Snape actor Alan Rickman were featured in the lead roles.

Liaisons in Hollywood

After the play reintroduced the story to an English language audience, it was only natural that a film would come along. In the late ‘80s, we got two. Hampton’s play was adapted into 1988’s “Dangerous Liaisons,” and maintained much of his script. Starring John Malkovich, Glenn Close, and Michelle Pfeiffer, the movie was a hit with critics and audiences alike. It even won three Oscars out of a total of seven nominations. Only a year later, Miloš Forman[c], the Czech director behind “Amadeus” and “One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest” released his own version titled “Valmont[d].” Despite featuring early performances from Colin Firth and Annette Bening, the movie didn’t do nearly as well as its award-winning predecessor.

A Modern Update

A decade later, “Cruel Intentions” would retool the story for a modern age. Although set in modern-day New York and played against a hip, new soundtrack, it’s still a tale as old as time. The two leads are rewritten as spoiled prep school teens who are every bit as rich, hedonistic, and calculating as ever. “Buffy” star Sarah Michelle Gellar plays Kathryn, who’s more cunning and ruthless than any vampire she slayed on the WB. Ryan Phillippe plays Sebastian, the libertine who leaves a trail of discarded lovers in his wake. Phillippe acting alongside his then-fiancée and later wife, Reese Witherspoon, gives many of their scenes a very palpable tension. Selma Blair, Sean Patrick Thomas, and Joshua Jackson help round out the young cast too.

The Discourse

From the start, critics were skeptical. Modern updates of beloved stories can be hit or miss, but the way “Cruel Intentions” amps up the provocativeness rubbed many the wrong way. Even “Buffy the Vampire Slayer” creator Joss Whedon took a public swipe at the film despite Gellar’s involvement. It didn’t help that “Dangerous Liaisons” was so respected. Meanwhile, this update gave the impression of being gratuitous and a vulgar cash grab. Ironically, that’s how a lot of critics felt about the original novel, too. And like the book, “Cruel Intentions” was just too exciting to look away from. It made a lot of money on a small budget, made bigger stars out of its leads, and its soundtrack is still considered an all-time classic.

Why It Was So Different

The teen movies of the late ‘90s were often cynical Gen X coming-of-age stories, bright romcoms, or slasher movies. Clearly, this thriller about wealthy sadists using people as game pieces in their romantic conquests borrowed a little from all three, and watching its star-studded young cast revel in being bad was just too enticing for audiences. That’s not even to mention the infamous, lingering kiss between Gellar and co-star Selma Blair. “Cruel Intentions” demonstrated how the story could survive into the 21st century. “Les Liaisons Dangereuses” was no longer a story stuck in the past.

Liaisons Goes Direct-to-Video

Seeing that there might be a chance to make a franchise, writer-director Roger Kumble tried to expand the “Cruel Intentions” universe into TV. Fox acquired the series, now titled “Manchester Prep,” before promptly dropping it after only a few episodes were shot. Kumble edited what they had and released “Cruel Intentions 2” straight-to-video. The sequel explores how Kathryn Merteuil, now played by a pre-stardom Amy Adams, and Sebastian Valmont first met and began their vicious cycle of deceit and degradation. It was followed by another straight-to-video sequel, starring “Dawson’s Creek” actor Kerr Smith. They weren’t nearly as good as the first movie, but it was clear people wanted more.

Sarah Michelle Gellar Returns

Over 15 years after the movie was released, Roger Kumble once again attempted to get a TV sequel off the ground. This time, Sarah Michelle Gellar would reprise her role as Kathryn Merteuil. Set in the present day, the pilot sees Kathryn confronted by her step-nephew, with her past and her deceiving ways being brought back into the open. Unfortunately, NBC passed on the pilot. Gellar admitted she was somewhat relieved, because she was unhappy with the network-TV-friendly script. With the pilot being shelved, Kumble had failed to bring the story to television a second time. But neither he nor the story could be kept down. It was also around this time that Kumble adapted the movie as a stage musical.

Reboot of a Reboot

After years of attempts, “Cruel Intentions” is finally making its small screen debut. The new Amazon Prime series follows two step siblings, seemingly modeled after Kathryn and Sebastian, trying to save their reputation at their university. This plot includes seducing the daughter of the U.S. Vice President. While neither a true sequel nor a remake, the series is clearly inspired by the themes of manipulation and power in the 1999 film adaptation and, of course, the original novel. In other words, it’s a reboot of the reboot. Given how long the original story has survived, it’s probably fair to say this won’t be the last we hear of Valmont, Merteuil, and their dangerous liaisons.

Are you watching “Cruel Intentions” on Prime? Let us know in the comments.

[a]SHoh-dair-LO de LACK-low:

https://forvo.com/word/pierre_choderlos_de_laclos/
[b]roh-JAY vah-DEEM:
https://forvo.com/search/Roger%20Vadim/
[c]MEE-low-shhh ForrMAHN:
https://forvo.com/search/Milo%C5%A1%20Forman/
[d]Val-MON (French, so not MawnT)