In case you’re unaware, Young-Adult Dramas are my bread and butter. So, when learning about Prime Video bringing Cruel Intentions to life as a series I was incredibly intrigued. The 1999 film is still one of my all-time favorites. The performances are spectacular. The film is seductive to the point that you almost feel like you shouldn’t be watching. Every twist and turn is filled to the brim with malicious intent and has tons of clutch-my-pearls moments.

It has been over 20 years since the Cruel Intentions film. It’s time to bring it to life for a new generation with a fresh new look, new characters, and all the sexy, scandalous, jaw-dropping moments you can squeeze in. I was all in. That is, until I watched it.

CRUEL INTENTIONS HAS A GREAT SKELETON

Prime Video’s Cruel Intentions is set in a college environment, which I think is a fantastic change. It creates a more suitable context for the story, as it avoids the discomfort of watching “teenagers” engage in sexual and scandalous activities. First Kill’s Sarah Catherine Hook takes on Caroline, the powerful manipulator and alpha of the group. Newcomer Zac Burgess is the charming F*boy, Lucian. Sara Silva (Taurus) plays my personal favorite CeeCee! MAX’s Gossip Girl Monet, Savannah Lee Smith takes on our sweet innocent Annie.

The crux of the storyline takes place with these 4 characters. Caroline, to save her sorority, uses her stepbrother, Lucian, to manipulate the Vice president’s daughter, Annie. She wants her to join their sorority chapter vs accepting her legacy in another. CeeCee is Caroline’s righthand girl, dealing with her struggles. She has a huge crush on her professor and is trying to decide if she should make a move.

Cruel Intentions film alum, Sean Patrick Thomas, doesn’t reprise his previous role of a music teacher, Ronald Clifford. Instead, he’s a new character. One of the professors at the college who getting involved with another CeeCee. All of these storylines are reminiscent of the past but have an updated twist. Everything seems to be set up for success. However, once it comes to execution it all misses the mark. It truly never goes there.

THE SERIES IS STERILE

Sara Silva (CeCe Carroway), John Harlan (Kim Blaise Powell)

As the plot develops, it promises shocking revelations, yet most of them arrive too late or feel overly familiar. The trope of a professor having an affair with a student really should be retired for the next couple of decades. The characters’ actions, storylines, and performances fail to capture the essence of true cruelty. Instead of being genuinely malicious, everyone just comes off as a bit mean. We should feel a complex mix of emotions toward the characters. They should evoke both hatred and sympathy simultaneously, but it never quite lands.

The Cruel Intentions series looks more like a series on Freeform vs an R-Rate film turned to streaming television. They have so many opportunities to make viewers gasp that either aren’t thought of or taken advantage of. Instead, we get dated material that underwhelming. Let me give you an example of a storyline that I think should be in the show vs what we were given.

The gay storyline is between Blaise (John Harlan Kim) and Scott (Khobe Clarke). Both actors do a phenomenal job. Blaise is constantly manipulating the golden retriever, Scott. To the point that when his storyline comes to a head there’s a huge Uno Reverse where everything backfires. However, the issues are old news. Republican Congress people have out and proud gay children. That’s not really an issue anymore.

Why not take Scott and make him a secret Only Fans Content Creator who wears a mask? After things explode, we learn that Scott’s dad is a subscriber to his son’s secret only fans!

MISMATCHED CASTING

Savannah Lee Smith (Annie Grover), Zac Burgess (Lucien Belmont)

I also think Cruel Intensions, cast two of its actors as the wrong characters. First, Zac Burgess and Savannah Lee Smith. Where is my epic, life-changing love story? The important chemistry between Zac Burgess and Savannah Lee Smith feels flat. I’m expected to cheer for their epic love story that’s meant to transform their lives, but where is that connection? She has incredible chemistry with Scott (Khobe Clarke). Clarke is also incredibly charming and adorable. Watching him use those gifts for evil would be chef’s kiss.

That being said, Savannah Lee Smith was a standout in the Gossip Girl reboot. Her portrayal of Monet, combined with her exceptional performance, clearly demonstrates her ability to embody a cruel character. Caroline and Lucien are stepsiblings, so why not embrace the idea of them being part of an interracial family? Sarah Catherine Hook would make a fantastic Annie. This change could also address another concern I have with the series. At its onset, it features two non-people of color pursuing a woman of color, which also feels outdated and uncomfortable.

Cruel Intentions is now streaming on Prime Video. Comment and let us know what you think of the show.

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