Best Drama Movies on Netflix Right Now (2020)

No. 43 – Cruel Intentions  (1999)

Written by: Roger Krumble

Directed by: Roger Krumble

Starring Ryan Phillippe, Reese Witherspoon, Sarah Michelle Gellar, and Selma Blair

Let’s play a short little game. Let’s see if it’s possible to describe the plot of Cruel Intentions in one sentence. Ready? Here we go: In order to get back at her former boyfriend and his new lover Cecile (Blair), Kathryn Merteuil (Gellar) devises an extensive plan that involves her stepbrother Sebastian (Phillippe) seducing the headmaster of their school’s daughter Annette in exchange for letting Sebastian sleep with Kathryn(Witherspoon), all the while Kathryn seduces Cecile into sleeping with her teacher in order to break Cecile and Kathryn’s former boyfriend up. Confused? Welcome to Cruel Intentions.

Although it’s forced to juggle quite a convoluted plot, Cruel Intentions is about as fun of a drama/thriller as one might find on Netflix. Sarah Michelle Gellar is perfectly cast and spearheads Roger Krumble’s witty screenplay.

This is a fun, dark movie, with complicated plot twists and an interesting story. It’s about as perfect of a Saturday night movie as you’re going to find, and it couldn’t be recommended any higher.