Cruel Intentions

In New York City, Sebastian Valmont and his stepsister Kathryn Merteuil hatch a bold bet: Sebastian will try to seduce Annette Hargrove, and if he fails Kathryn will take his Jaguar XK140; if he wins Kathryn will have sex with him. They also craft a plan to recruit him into a retaliation scheme against her ex-boyfriend Court Reynolds.

Sebastian's early attempts are clumsy as Annette's skepticism about his reputation grows. He suspects Greg, Annette's close friend, and uses blackmail to pressure Greg into persuading Annette of his 'good nature.' He tests boundaries to see how far he can manipulate.

Kathryn identifies Cecile Caldwell as another pawn and leaks news of Cecile's supposed romance with the music teacher to Cecile's mother, triggering suspicion and the teacher's dismissal. This destabilizes Cecile and sets the stage for further manipulation.

To frame up Cecile, Kathryn and Sebastian coax Ronald Clifford into writing a love letter that Sebastian then uses to lure Cecile to his bedroom. Cecile is pressured into sexual exposure, starting a chain of manipulation that will ripple through their circle.

Kathryn advises Cecile to sleep with Sebastian to satisfy Ronald’s alleged love and to prove her own 'promiscuity.' This pushes Cecile into a vulnerable position and strengthens the bet's leverage.

As Sebastian spends more time with Annette, he grows drawn to her honesty and humor, and the flirtatious game starts to feel real. He sees her as someone who challenges and interests him beyond conquest. They share a kiss as her guard begins to fall.

The pair grow closer and eventually share an intimate night after a moment of mutual vulnerability. Sebastian is torn between his initial game and the feelings he has developed, hesitating to cross a line he never planned.

Kathryn resents losing control as Sebastian falls for Annette and warns him that telling her the truth about the bet could ruin them. She maintains control of the narrative, pressing him to keep his real motives hidden.

Feeling the weight of his deception, Sebastian tells Annette that his original aim was sex rather than love, and he ends their relationship to spare her further hurt. Kathryn's manipulations loom in the background as the truth threatens to unravel.

Before any chance of reconciliation, Sebastian leaves a journal with Annette detailing Kathryn's manipulation, the bet, and his true feelings. The document becomes the key evidence that could expose Kathryn.

Ronald confronts Sebastian in a violent outburst that spills into the street. Annette tries to intervene, but Sebastian is struck by an oncoming taxi while pushing her to safety.

Sebastian and Annette confess their love after the near-tragedy, but he dies from his injuries soon after. At his funeral, Cecile disperses copies of Sebastian’s journal exposing Kathryn’s manipulations, ending Kathryn’s carefully crafted image. Annette drives away along a highway in Sebastian's XK140, wearing his sunglasses with his journal by her side.