Apple TVCruel Intentions (1999)
Bias Rating
Analyzing...
Leans Traditional
Viewer Rating
Rating: 6.2
Overview
Slaking a thirst for dangerous games, Kathryn challenges her stepbrother, Sebastian, to deflower their headmaster's daughter before the summer ends. If he succeeds, the prize is the chance to bed Kathryn. But if he loses, Kathryn will claim his most prized possession.
Starring Cast
Where to watch
Apple TV
Google PlayBias Dimensions
Political: Center
Diversity: Low
LGBTQ: Negative
Race Swap: Yes
Christianity: Positive
Overview
Slaking a thirst for dangerous games, Kathryn challenges her stepbrother, Sebastian, to deflower their headmaster's daughter before the summer ends. If he succeeds, the prize is the chance to bed Kathryn. But if he loses, Kathryn will claim his most prized possession.
Starring Cast
Where to watch
Apple TVGoogle PlayDetailed Bias Analysis
Analyzing...
Leans Traditional
Primary
The film primarily explores the moral corruption and manipulative nature of privileged individuals, concluding with the tragic consequences of their actions and the exposure of hypocrisy, rather than advocating for a specific political ideology or systemic change.
The movie features a predominantly white main cast, reflecting traditional casting without explicit race or gender swaps of established roles. While it portrays its privileged white protagonists as morally corrupt villains, this critique focuses on individual character flaws and manipulative behavior rather than offering a systemic or DEI-driven critique of traditional identities.
Secondary
Cruel Intentions presents LGBTQ+ characters in a problematic light. Kathryn's bisexuality is intertwined with her manipulative and villainous persona, used for degradation rather than affirmation. Other gay characters are minor and serve as plot devices, lacking positive representation. The film's overall depiction links queer identity to manipulation and negative outcomes.
The character Ronald Clifford, based on Chevalier Danceny from the source novel 'Les Liaisons dangereuses' and previous adaptations, was originally depicted as white. In 'Cruel Intentions,' the character is portrayed by a Black actor, constituting a race swap.
The film portrays genuine Christian faith through Annette Hargrove as a source of moral strength and purity, which ultimately triumphs over the cynical manipulation of the protagonists. It satirizes the hypocritical use of Christian piety by characters like Kathryn Merteuil, exposing it as a tool for social control rather than a sincere belief.
The movie does not contain any action or adventure elements.
Cruel Intentions is an adaptation of the novel "Les Liaisons dangereuses." All major characters in the film retain the same gender as their counterparts in the original source material, with no instances of a character's established gender being changed.
Viewer Rating Breakdown
6.2
Viewer Rating
Combines user and critic ratings from four sources
User Ratings
6.8
6.8
Critic Ratings
5.4
5.6
More Like This
Leans Traditional
7.7
Walk the Line
(2005)
Political: Center
Diversity: Low
Leans Traditional
7.1
Love Story
(1970)
Political: Center
Diversity: Low
Leans Traditional
8.6
Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind
(2004)
Political: Center
Diversity: Low
Leans Traditional
6.7
Goodbye Again
(1961)
Political: Center
Diversity: Low
Traditional
7.1
One True Thing
(1998)
Political: Leans Right
Diversity: Low
Leans Traditional
7.9
Romeo and Juliet
(1968)
Political: Center
Diversity: Low
Leans Traditional
7.4
The Guernsey Literary & Potato Peel Pie Society
(2018)
Political: Center
Diversity: Low
Leans Traditional
8.0
Licorice Pizza
(2021)
Political: Center
Diversity: Low
LGBTQ: Neutral
Leans Traditional
6.9
Sadie McKee
(1934)
Political: Center
Diversity: Low
Leans Traditional
8.4
The African Queen
(1952)
Political: Center
Diversity: Low
Traditional
8.7
Gone with the Wind
(1939)
Political: Strong Right
Diversity: Low
Leans Traditional
7.1
The Cooler
(2003)
Political: Center
Diversity: Low
Leans Traditional
7.8
The Good Earth
(1937)
Political: Leans Right
Diversity: Low
Leans Traditional
7.7
Grand Hotel
(1932)
Political: Center
Diversity: Low
Leans Traditional
6.6
Dan in Real Life
(2007)
Political: Center
Diversity: Low
Leans Traditional
7.1
Sleepless in Seattle
(1993)
Political: Center
Diversity: Low
Leans Traditional
7.7
Waterloo Bridge
(1940)
Political: Center
Diversity: Low
Leans Traditional
8.1
Groundhog Day
(1993)
Political: Center
Diversity: Low
Leans Traditional
6.5
Mata Hari
(1931)
Political: Center
Diversity: Low
Leans Traditional
7.8
Metropolitan
(1990)
Political: Center
Diversity: Low