Get ready, ‘Cruel Intentions’ fans. The trailer for Amazon’s TV series adaptation is here, and it’s chock-full of nostalgia, sly references, and cheeky callbacks to the 1999 film. Fans of the original can have a field day spotting all the nods, from familiar tunes to re-imagined scenes that might give you deja vu.
The series, set to drop on Prime Video on November 21, takes the devilish spirit of the original and infuses it into Manchester College’s tangled Greek life. At the forefront are cousins Caroline Merteuil, played by Sarah Catherine Hook, and Lucien Belmont, played by Zac Burgess—their roles a clear riff on Kathryn Merteuil and Sebastian Valmont, the iconic manipulative duo originally portrayed by Sarah Michelle Gellar and Ryan Phillippe.
The trailer kicks off with a fresh cover of “Bitter Sweet Symphony,” The Verve’s anthem that memorably soundtracked the movie’s final scenes. It’s clear that the new series has no plans to shy away from the past, instead reveling in its own self-aware nods. There’s a glimmer of a new pool scene, instantly calling back to that moment when Reese Witherspoon’s innocent Annette Hargrove got in a pool with Sebastian—a scene that set the bar for forbidden flirtation in teen cinema. This time around, the tension might feel a little different, but the blueprint remains the same.
And how could they resist a nod to that infamous “practice kiss” between Kathryn and Cecile in Central Park? The trailer teases its own iteration, leaving long-time fans to draw their own comparisons. One of the characters even jokes about losing her virginity while riding a “gorgeous Palomino named Lucky,” a cheeky reference to the lesser-known ‘Cruel Intentions 2,’ where horseback riding went from innocent to, well, not-so-innocent real quick.
The drama at Manchester College is fueled by a brutal hazing scandal threatening to shut down Greek life. Enter Caroline and Lucien, with a cunning plan to keep the party going: seduce Annie Grover, played by Savannah Lee Smith, who’s conveniently the daughter of the Vice President of the United States. Caroline spells it out clearly: “You know what they’re not gonna do? Kick the Vice President’s daughter’s sorority off campus.” There’s nothing like a well-crafted seduction plan to ensure all hell stays firmly unleashed.
The trailer’s jam-packed with familiar sights: the iconic car, the cross necklace, and more. Co-showrunners Sara Goodman and Phoebe Fisher aren’t being coy about their love for the original, admitting, “Wherever we felt like it served the story or the style of the show to tie it all together, we did. We love the movie.” And it shows—this series isn’t just a retread; it’s a glossy homage with enough callbacks to keep old fans happy while drawing in a fresh generation ready to dive into the delicious world of betrayal, power, and seduction.
Alongside Hook and Burgess, the cast includes Sara Silva as Cece Carroway, a clear modern twist on Cecile Caldwell, John Harlan Kim as Blaise Powell, Khobe Clarke as Scott Russell, and Brooke Lena Johnson as Beatrice Worth. They all seem perfectly poised to bring this new era of intrigue to life, wrapped in ambition, mind games, and more than a few questionable alliances.
Catch ‘Cruel Intentions’ (2024) on Prime Video on November 21, and start brushing up on your references—because if this trailer is any indication, this is one reboot that’s made to reward those paying close attention.
