Cruel Intentions on Prime Video: Easter eggs, drama, and a fresh spin

I’ve got a soft spot for Cruel Intentions—the original film has that je ne sais quoi blend of charm, scandal, and a twist of pure venom that only Kathryn Merteuil could perfect. While I’m not one to snub a remake (hey, Coppola's Scarface was a remake, and we all know what a cinematic masterpiece that turned out to be), I’ll admit that anything daring to touch Cruel Intentions has a high bar to clear. But after watching the lengthy new trailer for Prime Video’s Cruel Intentions series, I’m… intrigued. With each frame, it seems to be tipping its hat to the 1999 classic without just copying and pasting its best moments.

And let’s talk about that trailer—over two minutes of winks, nods, and Easter eggs that set the stage for some truly devious storytelling. From the cover of Bittersweet Symphony (just hearing those first few notes makes my ‘90s heart beat faster) to nearly frame-by-frame recreations of iconic scenes, this series seems to promise both nostalgia and fresh drama. In a nod to the original, we also see the nostalgic return of Sean Patrick Thomas, who shifts from cello teacher in the film to Professor Hank Chadwick in this juicy remake. It’s a clear sign the series aims to honor its roots while adding new layers to its twisted storyline.

Set in Manchester College, the show follows Caroline Merteuil (Sarah Catherine Hook)—clearly channeling Sarah Michelle Gellar’s original Kathryn Merteuil energy—and her scheming cousin Lucien Belmont (Zac Burgess). When a brutal hazing incident risks shutting down all frat and sorority action, the devious duo cooks up a plan to keep power in the family by having Lucien woo Annie Grover (Savannah Lee Smith), the Vice President's daughter. Because, really, who’s gonna kick the VP’s kid off campus, right?

This isn’t your average college campus drama, though. Caroline and Lucien aren’t here for study groups or pep rallies—they’re here to plot, seduce, and wield a wicked sense of entitlement. With Caroline orchestrating every step and Lucien set to charm the Vice President’s daughter, it’s like watching a Machiavellian masterclass in scheming... but with way better outfits and that signature Cruel Intentions flair.

The showrunners, Sara Goodman and Phoebe Fisher promise enough insider references to make this reboot a faithful homage while keeping it fresh for a new generation of fans. With the stakes so high and drama running deep, it’s clear Cruel Intentions isn’t shying away from the themes that made the original so iconic—dark manipulation, seductive plotting, and that irresistible tension that blurs all lines of loyalty and betrayal.

"Being one of us means holding the key to any door worth entering..."

- Caroline Merteuil

It’s all very deliciously over-the-top, yet somehow Cruel Intentions, the Amazon limited series, manages to thread the needle between homage and reinvention. We’re not just getting callbacks to the original; we’re getting layers of self-aware, almost meta-scheming that play with the audience’s expectations. Do you think you know where a scene is going? Think again. With every sly glance and whispered threat, the show promises to twist the knife just a little deeper, making sure no one—on campus or in the audience—stays entirely innocent.

But what will the series bring to that unforgettable finale scene, the one that left us with chills and The Verve playing us out with perfect, bittersweet melancholy? Here’s hoping this Cruel Intentions balances that classic edge and charisma with something new and equally unforgettable. A new classic in the making? We’ll soon find out, with the series debuting in less than a month! So grab your leather-bound journals and wicked smirks, because Cruel Intentions is back—and ready to remind us that some classics (and villains) never truly go out of style.