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Cruel Intentions 2
2000 87 min United States of America R 16+
★4.5
Drama
Director: Roger Kumble
Trailers
Description
After his precocious behavior has gotten him bounced out of one more in a string of exclusive private schools, 16-year old Sebastian Valmont has arrived in New York City to live with his father and stepmother. The cunning and handsome Sebastian may have met his match, however, in his equally manipulative and beautiful stepsister Kathryn Merteuil.
Starring
Robin Dunne
Actor
Sarah Thompson
Actor
Keri Lynn Pratt
Actor
Key opinion
Cruel Intentions 2 is widely panned as an unnecessary and inferior prequel that fails to live up to the high standard set by the original film. While Amy Adams’ performance is frequently highlighted as a rare standout, most critics find the casting, derivative screenplay, and lack of character nuance to be major shortcomings.
| Acting | The lead actors fail to capture the seductive charisma and calculating intelligence that defined the original characters, leading to accusations of severe miscasting. | |
| Screenplay | The screenplay is criticized for being overly derivative, frequently relying on copied dialogue and recycled plot points from the first film rather than offering a fresh narrative. | |
| Acting | Amy Adams delivers a compelling performance that stands out as a notable bright spot, though opinions differ on whether her portrayal of a manipulative character was successful or wasted on the material. | |
| Originality | The tone remains a point of contention: some viewers see it as a failed, amateurish melodrama, while others argue it functions as a deliberate, if uneven, parody. |