It is a remarkable difference in culture what 20 years make. You absolutely could not make this movie now. Mild Spoilers ahead...

The characters are caricatures of people. They are all terrible for their own reasons. The "redemption arc" is utterly ridiculous, especially since we are talking about High School students.

If you can put aside the cultural implications, and predatory behavior of everyone, this movie is fine. Watchable. Not something that will make your life richer, but fine. If you hate-watch it, it is enjoyable, hence my 3 stars. I decided 15 minutes in I was going to take it for what it is and watch it as it is and made I through making terrible jokes.

I don't know what reminded me the other day of this movie but, I had a sudden obsession to watch it. And boy I have been absolutely mind blown all day since I just watched it.

There are so many good stars ( Sarah Michelle Geller, Ryan Philippe, Reese Witherspoon, Selma Blair, Joshua Jackson... the list goes on and on. )
The plot twists and morals were totally amazing. I was 19 when this movie came out and it is JUST AS GOOD TODAY as it was back then. The total epitome of what our generation was and still the issues we deal with today. Totally awesome!!!!!!
Yes.....it's very hard core at times but, I love the true raw ability to convey what alot of our realities were and still are.

I wasn't a teenager when this came out, and I'm really not one now, but I am an unashamed fan of this movie. A modern day teenage version of Dangerous Liaisons sounds like a horrible idea, but it works. Maybe not perfectly, but I find this movie so enjoyable, I don't care if the plot strains credulity.

Despite its age, it does not feel dated. The pop soundtrack is the one thing that places it in a certain timeframe, but outside that the look, fashions, and pop culture references don't scream 90's.

Decent to good acting from a still well known cast. Nice to look at, and a great soundtrack ( I bought the CD, too). I can't hear Bittersweet Symphony without thinking of this movie .

Just plain fun. Makes an excellent double feature with Wild Things .

First off, if you know the movie Dangerous Liaisons (Glenn Close/John Malkovich) you know this story. This is a teen-angst remake of the same work. Just like Clueless is a remake of Jane Austen's Emma.

Is it a good movie? Not really. Is the acting up to the subject matter? Probably not, though there are indeed some choice moments of excellence. Does the writing do justice to the original storyline? To the plot? Not much.
In fact, the ending of the movie simply fails to deliver. What should have been a pivotal scene drawing everything together just sort of fell flat. Very flat.

However, if you like "teen movies" go ahead and watch it! What was fun in particular was watching a few actors who are now--as adults--well respected starting to open their acting wings.

Even though the film is due to celebrate it's 20th anniversary in the coming year, this tale of manipulation is carefully crafted and still capable of competing with today's sexier tales. Toying between innocent and malicious intentions, the dynamic of the two leads constantly has the audience wondering how the one will prevent success for the other. The R rating is definitely accurate, as young viewers may not realize the harm brought onto someone else when it comes to this kind of manipulation. I heard rumors of making this classic into a Broadway musical and wanted to watch the full movie again, and whether you've seen it before or it's your first time checking in, you'll fight for these characters as their cruel intentions mesh with summer romance in these late 90s hit.

Was really hard to sit through in 2022 but I persevered. A terrifying take on high school drama, led by two actual sociopath characters (let's not mince words here...their behavior was beyond cruel), but it's still...engaging? I feel like Reese Witherspoon received good reviews when this initially came out but watching it again I can't help but be surprised and impressed by Sarah Michelle Gellar. This was generally well-acted but SMG carries the whole dang thing. She's actually spectacular in this. Kinda makes me wish she hadn't given up on acting so soon. Anywho, throughout most of the film I was shaking my head in a righteous mom kinda way but by the end I was happy. B+

Wow...yet another entertaining movie.... Sad one minute, happy the next, angry after that... then repeat...all the while adding laughter in between...was NOT expecting what happened to Sebastian….at all.... GREAT movie!

A story about some of the most perversely cruel youngsters you are likely to meet, and how they enjoyed screwing each other up. What makes the movie tolerable is superior acting (with the exception of Blair, portraying Cecile, who is atrociously bad) and the final triumph of love and just revenge.