Cult Classic Turns 25: Sarah Michelle Gellar Reflects on 'Cruel Intentions'

It's a milestone anniversary for a cult classic and the stars of the movie are celebrating by reminiscing on social media.

"Cruel Intentions," the hit 1999 film that starred Sarah Michelle Geller, Selma Blair, Reese Witherspoon, and Ryan Phillippe, turned 25 on Tuesday. Gellar took to Instagram to remember the film that remains popular to this day.

Gellar took to Instagram to share a throwback of the original photos used to promote the movie when it first premiered.

"Happy 25th #cruelintentions Everybody still loves you, and I intend to keep it that way," Gellar wrote in the caption of the two classic photos.

Many fans dropped into the comment section to share their memories of the hit film.

"This movie is my favorite role of your entire career. And this is coming from a huge Buffy fan!" one fan wrote. Another added, "Thank you for playing Kathryn, this girl changed my life and I've been obsessed with her since I saw the movie for the first time."

Another fan shared, "Your monologue to Sebastian is unmatched villain energy."

Many others shared similar thoughts about the film and Gellar's role in it.

"Still in my top 5 movies after all these years... gonna watch this tonight for sure!" wrote one person. "A true masterpiece," shared another.

According to IMDb, the film is about, "Two vicious step-siblings of an elite Manhattan prep school make a wager: to deflower the new headmaster's daughter before the start of term."

In 2019, Gellar reflected on what it was like shooting the controversial film and why it still holds a special place for her in ET.

"I mean, 'Cruel' was exciting because, for me, I look for things that'll make an impact and something that's different. And teen movies at that point were teen movies. We were coming out of a John Hughes era and moving into these sort of frothy, romantic comedies, and to take material like 'Les Liaisons Dangereuses' and give it to teens and that material, it was sort of the first of its kind," she explained.

"It was daring and edgy, and some people were against the movie and didn't think it was a good idea. I think we always knew that we were doing something really cool."

Witherspoon also shared a carousel of photos on Instagram to mark the 25th anniversary of the film. She shared the same promo shot as Gellar, as well as two iconic moments for her from the film.

"The best!! My teenage years are relived every time I watch it! I had the soundtrack on a CD and we would listen to it in my white Jeep over and over again! You're so stunning in it too!" one fan wrote.

Another added, "Ahhh... literally my teenage years right here! Loved this film!"

The actress and mom of two recently promoted and took part in the Global Day of Unplugging on March 1. When talking about the initiative with The Blast prior to the day, Sarah Michelle Gellar explained why it's important to her to limit technology whenever possible.

"It’s something that I’ve spoken about a lot and I feel very strongly that as the world is getting more and more digitally connected, we’re ultimately getting more and more disconnected because we don’t have that human contact. It’s touch; it’s eye contact. I see some of these kids and they can barely hold eye contact because they’re so used to like, device, device, device, device. And it’s important to me that we make sure we still have those. And that’s the message." she exclusively told The Blast.

"The message is not that technology is bad. Technology is amazing, but it’s about revisiting our relationship with it and whether we are taking enough breaks. Are we filling our souls with outside time and connection and why is there such a rise in depression and loneliness right now when people are connected, we have to look at that and realize that there’s a difference between digital connection and human connection, and we need both."

Unplugging is something Gellar feels is important for the younger generation, as well.

"I can’t expect my kids to self-regulate on anything. It’s the same way we tell them you can’t have soda, you have to have a meal, you can’t have dessert. It’s up to us to teach them," she explained.

"I take full advantage of the screen time options so they get whatever amount of time a day we deem appropriate and then it shuts off. And if they want more time, they have to come to us and it’s up to us to say, oh, you know what, you haven’t been outside, go get your basketball and go shoot some hoops or go see what the neighbor’s doing. Or it’s pouring rain, we can’t go anywhere, I have work to do, go ahead, here’s an extra hour. But then I can also determine what they’re watching."

After the Global Day of Unplugging, Sarah Michelle Gellar took to Instagram to share what she did with her technology-free time.

"After taking a break from technology on @GlobalDayofUnplugging, I’m feeling grateful for the uninterrupted time I spent with my friends and family. It can be so easy to get caught up in technology and social media, which takes away from embracing human connection," she wrote in her caption of a carousel of photos.

"Sometimes we all need that reminder to be present. I am very grateful for the time I had. Thank you @UScellular for encouraging me to unplug!"