Cruel Intentions

Sebastian Valmont, a wealthy and charismatic teen, grows weary of his usual manipulative games with women. He decides to seek someone who can challenge his seductive prowess, leading him to the principled Annette Hargrove, who desires true love above all else.

Sebastian proposes a risky bet to his stepsister, Kathryn Merteuil. The wager states that if he fails to seduce Annette, he will give up his vintage Jaguar XK140, but if he succeeds, Kathryn must yield to his desires.

Kathryn is motivated by vengeance against her ex-boyfriend, Court Reynolds, and manipulates Sebastian into using innocent Cecile Caldwell to lead Ronald Clifford, a kind-hearted music teacher, into a romantic trap. This layered scheme serves both Sebastian's and Kathryn's agendas.

Initially, Sebastian finds it difficult to seduce Annette as she has been warned about his notorious reputation. To rectify this, he blackmails football player Greg and uncovers that it was Cecile's mother who informed Annette, complicating his mission further.

With Kathryn’s assistance, Cecile becomes bold, leading to a well-laid plan for her to seduce Sebastian. However, as Sebastian spends more time with Annette, he begins to experience genuine feelings for her, complicating his original intentions.

Sebastian attempts to kiss Annette, but she resists, fearing that he will take away her sense of control. This leads to a moment of self-evaluation for both characters, who realize they share profound feelings but are hindered by their own fears.

In a moment of clarity, Sebastian confesses his true emotions to Annette, igniting a passionate connection between them. However, Kathryn threatens Sebastian, warning him that revealing his feelings could ruin their reputations.

Sebastian’s deception weighs heavily on Annette, leaving her heartbroken after she learns of his betrayal. As their relationship crumbles, Sebastian struggles to mend things with Kathryn but is consistently rebuffed.

Kathryn reveals that her manipulations have a darker purpose: to destroy Sebastian’s pride and spirit through his love for Annette. This revelation leads to Sebastian attempting reconciliation but receiving only rejection.

Sebastian leaves Annette a heartfelt apology and shares his innermost thoughts through his journal, which ultimately exposes Kathryn's cruel manipulations. This act not only seeks redemption but also reveals the truth to everyone's eyes.

As tensions mount, Ronald confronts Sebastian in a fit of anger, leading to a chaotic encounter. In a heroic effort to save Annette, Sebastian pushes her away from danger but tragically gets struck by a taxi in the process.

In the heartbreaking moments leading up to his death, Sebastian and Annette share their true feelings for one another. This emotional exchange highlights the devastating consequences of Kathryn's manipulative cruelty.

During Sebastian's funeral, Kathryn's eulogy falls flat amidst the support for Cecile, who circulates copies of Sebastian's journal, *Cruel Intentions*. This act further enshrines Sebastian's truth and reveals Kathryn's wickedness.

With the contents of Sebastian's journal exposing her vices and manipulations, Kathryn faces public scrutiny and the collapse of her carefully constructed image. Her actions lead her into a dark place of reflection and remorse.

In a poignant conclusion, Annette drives away in Sebastian's car, wearing his sunglasses and clutching his journal. This final moment symbolizes her enduring love for him, despite the cruel fate that bound their lives together.