“Cruel Intentions” is a half-hearted reboot

Prime Video presents a beloved nineties classic with a new adaptation in the eight-episode series “Cruel Intentions.” Developed by Phoebe Fisher and Sara Goodman, the show is based on the 1999 film directed by Roger Kumble, a modern retelling of Pierre Choderlos de Laclos’ 1782 novel “Les Liaisons Dangereuses.”

The new adaptation takes viewers into the high-stakes environment of Manchester College, an elite university on the outskirts of Washington, D.C., where social standing is critical. Step-siblings Caroline Merteuil (Sarah Catherine Hook) and Lucien Belmont (Zac Burgess) maneuver through a treacherous landscape, determined to stay at the top of the social hierarchy.

A shocking hazing incident shakes the Greek Life system, threatening their power. To protect their status, they target Annie Grover (Savannah Lee Smith), the naive daughter of the Vice President, using seduction and manipulation. As tensions rise, the boundary between loyalty and ambition blurs, leading to a thrilling clash in a reputation-driven world.

The original “Cruel Intentions” was released during the teen film renaissance, and I remember watching it with a sold-out crowd in my junior year of high school. After its success, a prequel series titled “Manchester Prep” was developed and quickly canceled over its themes, leading to two direct-to-DVD sequels. Fans’ hopes were raised again in 2015 by announcing a sequel series featuring Sarah Michelle Gellar, but that effort also fell.

I hit play on the first episode and wanted to watch the show with an open mind. Sarah Catherine Hook elevates the material as best she can. I commented on the actress for not necessarily trying to emote the femme fatale vibes of Gellar but having her vibe that doesn’t come off as forced. However, Zac Burgess lacks any swag; his character comes off as a tech-bro tool playing dress-up as a lothario. That said, his portrayal shows there is no chemistry between the two.

Savannah Lee Smith brings an organic innocence to Annie Grover, though she is a young woman trying to find her voice and place in the world. Fans of the original film may take some solace in seeing Sean Patrick Thomas return to the franchise. While he plays a new character instead of Ronald Clifford from the original character, he lacks something and delivers a paycheck performance. The rest of the supporting cast doesn’t fare much better, as they all give typical performances. You wind a modern streaming series aimed at anyone born after 2005.

The initial plot point of the source material, which centers on rivals who use sex as a weapon of humiliation and degradation, all the while enjoying their cruel games, is simple enough to translate to modern media. However, fans of the original “Cruel Intentions”  will find little to enjoy in the newest adaptation.

Final Grade: C-

All “Cruel Intentions” episodes are now available to stream on Prime Video.