Cruel Intentions

Two privileged step siblings at a sleek New England prep school turn flirtation into a sport. Kathryn, a calculating queen bee, ropes her handsome but reckless stepbrother into a dangerous bet: win the affection and influence of the headmaster's daughter before summer ends, and the prize is the other one’s loyalty and status. What starts as a party trick quickly spirals into a web of lies, secrets, and social games that pull in friends, rivals, and the adults who are supposed to keep order. The scene is sharp and stylish, driven by deception as desire clashing with reputation exposes the uglier side of privilege. The tension between wit and cruelty fuels a chessboard that plays out in halls and parties.

Directed by Roger Kumble, Cruel Intentions reimagines Choderlos de Laclos's Les Liaisons dangereuses for a 1990s teen audience, blending glossy fashion with dark scheming and savvy humor. The film marks a defining turn for the director and the actors involved.

Box office numbers reflect solid performance for a stylish teen drama. After its release, the movie grossed about 76,347,426 worldwide against a 10.5 million budget, confirming strong audience demand and a lasting shelf life early home video and streaming globally.

Over time the film became a defining touchstone of late 90s teen cinema with its glossy runway style and sharp banter. It spawned quotable moments, influenced fashion choices, and helped cement a wave of mature romance stories that mix wit, menace, and social satire in teen culture today and beyond.

Critics offered a mixed verdict but often praised the performances and the film's fearless approach to desire and power. Its core themes include manipulation, autonomy, and the corrosive impact of privilege, all delivered through witty dialogue, glossy surface, and a willingness to skew traditional romance tropes in teen culture.