Cruel Intentions shocks with ‘incest’ storyline as new collection proves extra scandalous than 1999 film

Cruel Intentions, the cult classic romance movie which made global stars of Sarah Michelle Gellar, Ryan Phillippe and Reese Witherspoon, gripped fans with its scandalous plot.

Now, almost 25 years since it was first released, the teen favorite has been adapted into a new Amazon Prime TV series – and show bosses haven’t shied away from ramping up the incestuous relationship at the heart of the plot.

The film followed a ruthless Manhattan prep school student, played by Gellar, and her extremely questionable relationship with her stepbrother, played by Phillippe.

Much like the movie, the series centers on two step-siblings – Sebastian and Kathryn – who make a bet about the former’s ability to seduce one of their university classmates. Should he succeed, he is granted the chance to have sex with his stepsister.

Their relationship and wager proves to be more sordid than in the 1999 film.

So, with raunchy scenes and ample nudity, DailyMail.com reveals all the ways in which the show ups the ante in the new eight-part series.

Touchy-feely relationship: Stepsiblings are very hands on with each other both in public (and in private) 

Throughout the original movie, Sebastian and Kathryn – played by Phillippe and Gellar – touch each other in a suggestive manner as Kathryn teases her stepbrother with the promise of fulfilling his sexual fantasies with her once he wins the bet.

The new TV show makes it clear from the very first episode that they would be leaning in further with the narrative with the new characters Caroline Merteuil and Lucien Belmont – played by Sarah Catherine Hook and Zac Burgees.

Within the first ten minutes, Lucien is stroking his sister’s arm at a party – with the intimate act causing another character, CeCe, to pause at the sight and state: ‘Sorry to interrupt’.

Before the first episode is over Annie once again walks in on the pair looking extremely cozy together on a couch as Lucien strokes the skin beneath Caroline’s necklace.

In later episodes, Lucien slides between Caroline’s legs while she sits on the desk in a dorm room.

Caroline slides closer and leaves very little space between the extremely tactile stepsiblings. 

Another episode sees Lucien once again take the opportunity to stroke his sister’s skin as she lays down in his bed while ‘reminding’ him what his prize will be.

Open door policy: Stepsiblings happily walk in on each other getting undressed or taking showers

In the opening episode, Lucien strips off in front of his sister and gets into the shower. 

At which point she officially wagers the all-important bet promising that he can get her ‘the way you’ve always wanted, for up to an hour’ if he does as she asks.

She looks down at his naked body through a gap in the shower curtain and notes his reaction to the offer at which she states: ‘I’ll take that as a yes.’

Throughout the episodes Lucien is happy to be in various states of undress in front of his stepsibling. 

Midway through the series, he walks in on his stepsister after she has taken her top off and simply stands in a black bra and skirt.

Caroline makes no move to cover up, with the pair sharing a lingering hug during an emotional moment where he comforts his upset stepsister. 

Show and tell: Stepbrother records himself sleeping with other women for his stepsister to watch through their shared album

From the very first episode, it is made clear that Lucien likes to record himself sleeping with his many conquests.

The character is always looking directly at the camera as he enjoys his sexual encounters, with the audience wondering why he is so eager to film every single partner.

In episode five, Caroline is seen lying in her bed and clicking onto a shared album on her laptop.

Viewers are shocked to realize that she not only has access to Lucien’s sex tapes but also pleasures herself while watching them.

It is a significant step further than anything which took place between the characters in the 1999 movie.

On separate occasions the pair acknowledge the fact Lucien has been making the tapes for his sister’s viewing pleasure.

Keeping it in the family: Stepsister’s mom is also flirty with the stepbrother and the pair sleep together in the season finale

An additional layering on ‘incestuous’ relationships is the close interactions between Lucien’s stepmother Claudia – who is Caroline’s mother.

In the opening episode, she is seen resting her hand on her stepson’s leg in a less than motherly manner.

When the pair reunite at a family dinner with Caroline in tow, Lucien and Claudia have no issue stroking each other’s hands at the table in front of her furious daughter. 

However, the show ends with quite the bang when Lucien films himself having sex with his stepmother.

It is a move done to get revenge on his stepsister, who immediately calls her stepbrother after he uploads the clip to their shared album.

Time will tell what happens next as viewers wait to discover if the series is picked up for a second season.

Cruel Intentions was based on the Choderlos de Laclos novel Les Liaisons Dangereuses, which was first made into the 1988 film Dangerous Liaisons starring John Malkovich, Glenn Close and Michelle Pfeiffer, as well as young unknowns Uma Thurman and Keanu Reeves.

It was followed by the 1999 flick, which received mixed reviews from critics, but went on to become a breakout hit, grossing $75.9 million at the worldwide box office on a $10.5 million budget. 

And over the years the film, written and directed by Roger Kumble, has had longevity with audiences, both old and news, by becoming a cult classic staple.

A pair of direct-to-video sequels, neither of which featured members of the first film’s cast, were released in 2001 and 2004.

A jukebox musical based on the movie made its debut in 2015 and has been reproduced on several occasions since then.

A television pilot that starred Gellar and served as a sequel to the film was produced in 2016, although the project was ultimately not picked up by any networks.

The actress previously spoke to The New York Times and expressed that she was glad that the pilot was not taken to series.

She recalled: ‘On the first day, I was like, “This isn’t working.” It’s just not a network show. And if it is a network show, it’s not my Cruel Intentions. So, I was actually grateful.’

The Cruel Intentions TV series is now available to stream on Prime Video.