Discover Your Next Binge: Shows and Movies Like Cruel Intentions
Prime Video’s Cruel Intentions brings a refreshing spin to the iconic 1999 film, weaving together elements of drama and mystery into contemporary narratives. Inspired by Pierre Choderlos de Laclos’s 1782 novel Les Liaisons dangereuses as well as Roger Kumble’s cinematic adaptation, the series centers around two affluent step-siblings—Caroline Merteuil (Sarah Catherine Hook) and Lucien Belmont (Zac Burgess). As an anti-Greek movement threatens the very existence of fraternities and sororities, Caroline embarks on a cunning plan to secure her sorority, Delta Phi, by targeting the vice-president’s daughter, Annie Grover (Savannah Lee Smith).
In a high-stakes deal, Caroline enlists Lucien’s help: he must seduce Annie in order to lure her into joining Delta Phi. Success means a night with Caroline, whereas failure costs him his prized car. Meanwhile, tension simmers within Lucien’s fraternity, Alpha Gamma, where social chair Blaise (John Harlan Kim) exploits new President Scott (Khobe Clarke) to cover his embezzlement schemes. This plotline unravels through layers of deceit, manipulation, and confrontations, revealing the darker sides of each character.
While Cruel Intentions takes creative liberties from its film predecessor, it maintains the same thematic core. To enhance your viewing experience, here’s a curated list of movies and series that echo the themes and character dynamics of Cruel Intentions, even if they diverge in style and tone.
10 I Know What You Did Last Summer
Released in 2021 on Prime Video
Continuing the trend of reviving classic horror elements, Prime Video introduced I Know What You Did Last Summer in 2021. This adaptation reinterprets the plot of the notorious 1997 film, rooted in Lois Duncan’s 1973 novel. The show flips the narrative, as a group accidentally hits the twin sister of one of their own, exposing unexpected truths and dark secrets. Created by Sara Goodman, who collaborated with Phoebe Fisher on Cruel Intentions, the series presents a modern twist while retaining similar narrative and visual styles.
Both shows highlight how privileged youth navigate their self-serving motives, though I Know What You Did Last Summer plunges deeper into mystery and horror, contrasting with the dramatic undertones of Cruel Intentions. Despite its promising premise, I Know What You Did Last Summer was short-lived, concluding after just one season.
9 Tell Me Lies
Released in 2022 on Hulu
Created by Meaghan Oppenheimer, Tell Me Lies is adapted from Carola Lovering’s novel and dives into a tumultuous eight-year romance between Lucy (Grace Van Patten) and Stephen (Jackson White). Beyond their complicated relationship, the show intricately weaves in the mysterious death of Lucy’s roommate, Macy (Lily McInery), suggesting a deeper connection to Stephen.
Central to the narrative is the theme of deception—the consequences of a single lie can spiral into a cascade of betrayal and animosity, mirroring some elements in Cruel Intentions. However, while the lies in Cruel Intentions primarily serve personal agendas, Tell Me Lies ventures into darker territory, illustrating the toxic repercussions of selfishness in relationships.
8 Cruel Summer
Released in 2021 on Freeform
Cruel Summer is a thrilling anthology drama series crafted by Bert V. Royal. Its inaugural season explores a complex narrative surrounding the disapperance of one teenage girl and the follow-up consequences faced by another. The second season presents a tragic tale of friendship strained by a murder.
In line with Cruel Intentions, Cruel Summer also pivots on themes of deception, showcasing how the characters’ secrets can lead to dire outcomes. The anthology format allows viewers to experience distinct stories each season without losing continuity, although it faced cancellation after two intriguing seasons.
7 Wild Things
Released in 1998
Wild Things is an iconic erotic thriller, helmed by John McNaughton, that follows high school students Suzie (Neve Campbell) and Kelly (Denise Richards) as they accuse their guidance counselor, Sam Lombardo (Matt Dillon), of assault. The ensuing investigation reveals shocking secrets that entangle all involved, including Sgt. Ray Duquette (Kevin Bacon).
This film stands apart for its willingness to intertwine sex with manipulation and crime, reflecting characters willing to betray everyone they know. The parallels to Cruel Intentions are stark; both narratives revolve around characters using seduction to achieve their goals, though the stakes and outcomes in Wild Things escalate to darker territory.
6 Basic Instinct
Released in 1992
A hallmark of neo-noir cinema, Basic Instinct, directed by Paul Verhoeven, revolves around detective Nick Curran (Michael Douglas) as he investigates a rock star’s murder. His affairs with crime novelist Catherine Tramell (Sharon Stone) intertwine with the investigation, leading to a sexually charged narrative laden with suspense and unpredictability.
Similar to Cruel Intentions, this film presents battles of manipulation through sexuality, laden with secrets that unfold with each layer. Both narratives challenge the audience’s perceptions while showcasing how characters employ sensuality to assert power.
5 Elite
Released in 2018 on Netflix
Elite, a Spanish teen drama series, follows privileged students at Las Encinas, an elite private school, juxtaposed with scholarship students. Over its eight-season run, each installment revolves around murders that serve as pivotal plot devices, reflecting societal issues like class disparity and sexual dynamics.
The show shares thematic affinities with Cruel Intentions: both feature selfish, affluent characters grappling with dark secrets intertwined with their love interests. While Cruel Intentions is more focused on seduction, Elite doesn’t shy away from the complications built from murder and its consequences.
4 Pretty Little Liars
Released in 2010 on Freeform
Based on Sara Shepard’s popular book series, Pretty Little Liars chronicles the lives of four friends—Aria (Lucy Hale), Emily (Shay Mitchell), Hanna (Ashley Benson), and Spencer (Troian Bellisario)—whose lives spiral out of control following the disappearance of their leader, Alison (Sasha Pieterse). As deep secrets spiral into crises, they grapple with a mysterious figure known as “A” , who relentlessly exposes their hidden truths.
Despite its share of flaws and controversies, Pretty Little Liars stands tall among teen mystery dramas, driven by the intricate web of secrets that bind the characters. Although less ruthless than Cruel Intentions, the characters experience emotional turmoil as their lies trap them in ever-deepening complications.
3 Heathers
Released in 1988
Heathers, directed by Michael Lehmann, is a cult classic that narrates the life of Veronica Sawyer (Winona Ryder), a high schooler in a clique of girls all named “Heather.”Disillusioned by their toxic behavior, she partners with enigmatic Jason Dean (Christian Slater) to enact a cascade of chaos, leading to drastic consequences, including murder.
This film resonates with Cruel Intentions through its portrayal of manipulative, self-centered teens who devise destructive plans. Although Heathers leans into dark comedy, it embodies themes of ruthless behavior, making it a fitting companion piece.
2 Gossip Girl
Released in 2007 on The CW
Developed by Josh Schwartz and Stephanie Savage, Gossip Girl offers a riveting glimpse into the lives of elite Manhattan teenagers as they navigate their complicated social dynamics. Centering around the on-and-off friendship between Serena van der Woodsen (Blake Lively) and Blair Waldorf (Leighton Meester), the series explores themes of privilege and scandal, unmasked by an anonymous blogger’s revelations.
While its narrative often focuses on the repercussions of secrets and gossip rather than outright villainy, the series underlines the challenges faced by affluent teens when their hidden lives become public. Both Cruel Intentions and Gossip Girl portray the allure and pitfalls of wealth, making them intriguing watch-alikes.
1 Cruel Intentions
Released in 1999
The seminal movie for any viewer intrigued by Prime Video’s Cruel Intentions series is undoubtedly its original 1999 version. The narrative follows step-siblings Kathryn Merteuil (Sarah Michelle Gellar) and Sebastian Valmont (Ryan Phillippe) as they make disturbing bets over love and seduction. Sebastian’s mission to seduce Annette (Reese Witherspoon) serves as the ultimate test of loyalty and morality within their twisted game of desires.
Through a lens of heightened cruelty, Cruel Intentions delves into the deep and often darker motivations of its characters, especially Kathryn’s relentless ambition. The film portrays a richer exploration of seduction, manipulation, and the social ethics of the wealthy elite, elements that engage audiences deeply and render it a classic among both films and series alike.
For further dichotomies in themes and narrative style, feel free to explore the alluring world of Cruel Intentions alongside this curated list of captivating shows and films.
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