Kathryn Merteuil

Kathryn Merteuil is a fictional character who appears in Cruel Intentions and Cruel Intentions 2, portrayed by actresses Sarah Michelle Gellar and Amy Adams, respectively^[1]. Based on the Marquise de Merteuil in Pierre Choderlos de Laclos's Les Liaisons dangereuses, Kathryn serves as the primary antagonist of the series.

Cruel Intentions

Kathryn is portrayed as a manipulative mastermind, who is also an alcoholic, a cocaine addict, and a sufferer of bulimia nervosa. She prides herself on destroying the lives of others whilst controlling them to suit her own ends. Kathryn is part of the wealthy modern-day society of the Upper East Side of New York. She portrays herself differently while at school and in the public eye: a popular, well-adjusted young woman, a devout Christian, and Student Body President at the exclusive Manchester Prep. She is able to deceive most of those around her with this facade of moral integrity, coming across as a model student. Throughout the film, Kathryn is shown to be narcissistic and a sociopath. However, at the end of the film, her true colors are exposed to the public. Although it is easy to hate her, one must not forget she is the product of a social status arena that creates loneliness and envy in its circle. She did not grow up in an environment conducive to kindness and empathy.

Cruel Intentions 2

A prequel to the original film shows a younger Kathryn. She also has a deceptive appearance, and is president of the banned Manchester Tribunal behind closed doors. She once again uses her powers of manipulation to control the situation, and it is revealed it is she who manipulated Sebastian into the cruel incarnation seen in the first film. This film focuses on when Sebastian and Kathryn's characters first meet, and their pleasure from plotting to destroy and seduce each other. She is still as devious, even threatening the vice-principal to do whatever she wants, otherwise she will go to the School Board and tell them he seduced her last summer when actually it is she who seduced him. In this film, Kathryn doesn't appear to have a cocaine addiction.

Cruel Intentions 3

It is revealed in this film that she forced her cousin, Cassidy Merteuil, to move to California to avoid her reputation, and it is also revealed she is in a methadone clinic. It is later mentioned in the same movie that Cassidy comes from a long line of black widows (a reference to Kathryn and her just as devious mother).

In popular culture

• The character of Blair Waldorf in Gossip Girl is based on Kathryn, though she is considerably less villainous. Also, the character Georgina Sparks, also from Gossip Girl, is based on Kathryn as well, though her malevolence isn't hidden from the public.

References