Netflix Adds 1990s Cult Classic 'Cruel Intentions' to UK Streaming Library
Netflix has expanded its UK platform this weekend by adding a popular 1990s erotic thriller, with many viewers celebrating the film as a masterpiece. Originally released in 1999, Cruel Intentions quickly became a divisive hit, captivating audiences with its provocative storyline and star-studded cast.
Plot and Cast of the Controversial Film
The movie follows two vicious step-siblings from an elite Manhattan prep school who engage in a high-stakes wager. Their goal is to deflower the new headmaster's daughter before the start of the term, leading to a series of dramatic and intense events. The film features a talented ensemble cast, including Ryan Phillippe as Sebastian Valmont, Sarah Michelle Gellar as Kathryn Merteuil, Reese Witherspoon as Annette Hargrove, and Selma Blair as Cecile Caldwell.
Cruel Intentions is a loose adaptation of the classic French novel Les Liaisons dangereuses by Pierre Choderlos de Laclos. While critics were sharply divided upon its initial release, the film has since gained a dedicated following and is now regarded as a cult classic, with its legacy growing over the past three decades.
Fan and Critical Reception Over the Years
On IMDb, one enthusiastic fan praised the film, writing, "Fab cast and very compelling plot. Definitely a cult classic and a big reflection of the 90s level of talent young actors had. Must see!" Meanwhile, on Letterboxd, another viewer described it as a "flawed masterpiece," highlighting its dark humor, wit, and emotional depth. They noted, "This is by far my favorite film adaptation of that book and one of my favorite films of all time."
Upon its original release, renowned film critic Roger Ebert commented in the Chicago Sun-Times, "It crash-lands with an ending of soppy moralizing, but until the end, it's smart and merciless in the tradition of the original story." Desson Thompson of the Washington Post added, "A witty, raunchy comedy, which proves that a well-written piece of business; oozing with sex, wit and nasty intrigue; works for any generation."
Film.com acknowledged the movie's strengths, stating, "The darkly comic tone is often just right, and the casting occasionally pays off." However, Rolling Stone offered a more critical perspective, penning, "It's not the trite talk that sends Cruel Intentions into a tailspin, it's the lightweight casting."
Despite mixed reviews initially, Cruel Intentions has endured as a significant piece of 1990s cinema, now available for streaming on Netflix UK, allowing both longtime fans and new audiences to experience its unique blend of drama and intrigue.
