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A new series for young adults is coming to Prime Video: “Cruel Intentions”, a modern version of the iconic film “Sex Intentions”, released 25 years ago. So is this revisited fiction worth a look?
What is it about?
At a prestigious Washington university, two students, ruthless half-brother and half-sister, will do anything to stay at the top. After a brutal hazing incident threatens the entire university system, they will do whatever is necessary to preserve their power and reputation – even if it means seducing the daughter of the Vice President of the United States.
Who is it with?
For its leading trio, the Cruel Intentions series focused on young, up-and-coming talents. Starting with Sarah Catherine Hook, seen in Conjuring 3, First Kill and soon appearing in season 3 of The White Lotus.
She stars alongside Zac Burgess, who made a name for himself alongside Travis Fimmel in the Australian series The Boy and the Universe, and Savannah Lee Smith, who was in the cast of the Gossip Girl reboot.
The rest of the cast includes John Harlan Kim (9-1-1, The Last Thing He Said to Me), Khobe Clarke (Yellowjackets), Brooke Lena Johnson (The Intruders), Sara Silva and Sean Patrick Thomas , already present in the film Sex Intentions who surprisingly returns in a new role.
Is it worth a look?
Twenty-five years ago, an entire generation discovered the cult film Sex Intentions (Cruel Intentions, in original version) and the deliciously diabolical scores of Sarah Michelle Gellar, Ryan Philippe, Reese Witherspoon and Selma Blair in this modern revisitation of the famous novel Dangerous Liaisons by Choderlos De Laclos.
The provocative and sexy sensual drama directed by Roger Kumble, marker of the 2000s and films for young adults, is entitled to a new iteration in series which has the difficult task of rising to its level.
A series for young teenagers crushed by the weight of a cult film
And we can say that the fiction created by Sarah Goodman (Gossip Girl, Remember Last Summer) and Phoebe Fisher (Remember Last Summer) clings a lot (too much) to the branches of the 1999 film with elements of very similar plot and identical characters, who just change their names.
Prime Video
Thus, we can see Caroline (Katheryn) launching the same challenge to Lucien (Sebastian) to seduce the new student Annie (Annette) with the assurance of a night with her as a price; Caroline’s cross necklace containing cocaine; Lucien’s multiple conquests, including a therapist; scenes of rapprochement in the swimming pool; a homosexual character who enjoys the secrets of his hidden conquests or even a kiss between two women for training.
The Cruel Intentions series does not hide its source of inspiration and even goes so far as to play arranged versions of emblematic music from the feature film, such as Every you, every me of Placebo or Bittersweet Symphony of The Verve, to punctuate certain episodes.
The series, which may still seem crushed by the weight of the cult film’s legacy, is certainly aimed at the new generation who have not seen the feature film or who do not know Dangerous Liaisons.
… but which plays codes in keeping with the times
This new gallery of manipulative, cruel, sensual but also sensitive and tortured characters should convince fans of modern young adult series because it takes up all the codes with a very pop and colorful aesthetic, charismatic young actors and actresses and many twists and turns.
Prime Video
Somewhere between Maxton Hall and Tell Me Lies, this new iteration of Sex Intentions has all the makings of being addictive entertainment, even if fans of the film might cringe at certain points.
The feeling of nostalgia and the addictive side of this type of program nevertheless work to brighten up and punctuate evenings of binge-watching which should be short since the series only has 8 episodes at the moment.
If Cruel Intentions fits perfectly into a new genre of teen dramas, which are a hit on platforms, it is also anchored in current social issues, even if they are treated superficially, such as rape culture in universities American, school bullying and sexist power relations between fraternities and sororities.
The “Cruel Intentions” series is available on Prime Video.
## Cruel Intentions: Reboot or Regret?
**Welcome to World-Today-News, where we delve into the latest trends in entertainment.** Today we’re discussing the new “Cruel Intentions” series on Prime Video. Joining me are two esteemed guests:
* **[Guest 1 Name]**, film critic and television enthusiast, known for their insightful and often contrarian views on reboots.
* **[Guest 2 Name]**: young adult fiction writer and pop culture commentator, offering a unique perspective on what resonates with today’s generation.
**Let’s begin our discussion.**
**Section 1: Nostalgia vs. Originality**
* **Q1 for Guest 1:** The article mentions that the series “clings” to the original film. Do you think reboots always struggle to escape the shadow of their predecessors, or is there potential for fresh interpretation?
* **Q2 for Guest 2:** As someone who engages with young adult audiences, do you believe there’s an appetite for revisiting classic stories, or do Gen Z and Millennials crave entirely new narratives?
**Section 2: Evolution of Themes**
* **Q3 for Guest 1:** The article touches upon the series updating social issues for a contemporary audience. Do you believe this approach is effective, or does it risk feeling forced or superficial?
* **Q4 for both Guests:** The original “Cruel Intentions” was praised for its frank portrayal of sexuality and power dynamics. How does the series navigate these themes in today’s climate of heightened social consciousness?
**Section 3: Target Audience**
* **Q5 for Guest 2:** The article suggests that the series targets a new generation who haven’t seen the original. Do you think “Cruel Intentions” will resonate with younger viewers, or will it feel outdated despite its modern touches?
* **Q6 for Guest 1:** Can a series successfully cater to both nostalgic fans of the original and a new generation of viewers?
**Section 4: Verdict**
* **Q7 for both Guests:** do you think this “Cruel Intentions” reboot is worth watching, or is it best left in the past? What are your final impressions?
**Thank you both for your fascinating insights.** We hope this discussion has given our viewers a deeper understanding of this intriguing new series.
**To continue the conversation, please visit our website and share your thoughts on the “Cruel Intentions” reboot in the comments section below!**
