Is Dangerous Liaisons Worth Watching?
Answer: Yes, Dangerous Liaisons is definitely worth watching if you enjoy Drama movies.
It features a runtime of 119 minutes and offers a solid storyline that appeals to general audiences.
Dangerous Liaisons Review
Last updated: January 18, 2026
Detailed Premise & Narrative Foundations
Released in the dynamic cinematic landscape of 1988, Dangerous Liaisons emerges as a significant entry in the Drama, Romance domain. The narrative core of the film focuses on a sophisticated exploration of In 18th century France, Marquise de Merteuil asks her ex-lover Vicomte de Valmont to seduce the future wife of another ex-lover of hers in return for one last night with her. Unlike standard genre fare, Dangerous Liaisons attempts to deconstruct traditional tropes, offering a refreshing take on its central themes.
Cast Performances: A Masterclass
The success of any Drama is often anchored by its ensemble, and Dangerous Liaisons features a noteworthy lineup led by Glenn Close . Supported by the likes of John Malkovich and Michelle Pfeiffer , the performances bring a palpable realism to the scripted words.
Performance Analysis: While the cast delivers competent and professional performances, they are occasionally hampered by a script that leans into familiar archetypes.
Final Verdict: Is it Worth Watching?
In summary, our editorial assessment of Dangerous Liaisons (1988) is overwhelmingly positive. With an audience rating of 7.2/10, it stands as a mandatory watch for any serious cinema lover.
Dangerous Liaisons Plot Summary & Detailed Storyline
Quick Plot Summary: Dangerous Liaisons is a Drama, Romance film that explores complex human emotions and relationships through nuanced character development. This summary provides a scannable look at the movie's central conflict and narrative structure.
Story Breakdown
This character-driven narrative explores the internal and external conflicts that define the human experience. In 18th century France, Marquise de Merteuil asks her ex-lover Vicomte de Valmont to seduce the future wife of another ex-lover of hers in return for one last night with her. Yet things don’t go as planned. The screenplay takes time to develop its characters, allowing audiences to connect emotionally with their struggles and triumphs. Each scene builds upon the last, creating a cumulative emotional impact.
Narrative Structure
- Opening Hook: We meet the main character in their ordinary world, establishing the emotional baseline before the inciting incident disrupts their life.
- Character Arc: The main character shows growth throughout the story, though some supporting characters could have been more fully realized. The arc is present but occasionally predictable.
- Climax & Resolution: The emotional climax brings character arcs to their natural conclusion, providing catharsis while staying true to the story's themes.
Dangerous Liaisons Ending Explained & Final Analysis
Ending Breakdown: Dangerous Liaisons resolves its central conflict while maintaining thematic consistency. The finale has been praised for its approach to drama resolution.
The emotional climax centers on character transformation, offering viewers material for post-viewing discussion.
Ending Analysis:
- Narrative Resolution: The story concludes with clear resolution of its central conflicts, providing closure while maintaining some ambiguity.
- Character Arcs: Main characters complete meaningful transformations, reflecting the film's thematic priorities.
- Thematic Payoff: The ending reinforces the drama themes established throughout the runtime.
The final moments of Dangerous Liaisons reflect the filmmakers' creative choices, offering an ending that aligns with the film's tone and style.
Who Should Watch Dangerous Liaisons?
Worth Watching If You:
- Enjoy Drama films and don't mind familiar tropes
- Are a fan of the cast or director
- Want a character-driven story with emotional moments
Dangerous Liaisons Box Office Collection
| Metric / Region | Collection (Approx) |
|---|---|
| Production Budget | $14.0M |
| Worldwide Gross | $34.7M |
| Trade Verdict | CLEAN HIT |
Dangerous Liaisons Budget
The estimated production budget for Dangerous Liaisons is $14.0M. This figure covers principal photography, talent acquisitions, and visual effects. When accounting for global marketing and distribution, the break-even point is typically 2x the base production cost.
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Full Cast & Crew of Dangerous Liaisons
- Glenn Close – Marquise Isabelle de Merteuil
- John Malkovich – Vicomte Sébastien de Valmont
- Michelle Pfeiffer – Madame Marie de Tourvel
- Uma Thurman – Cécile de Volanges
- Swoosie Kurtz – Madame de Volanges
Top Highlights
Glenn CloseMarquise Isabelle de Merteuil
John MalkovichVicomte Sébastien de Valmont
Michelle PfeifferMadame Marie de Tourvel
Uma ThurmanCécile de Volanges
Swoosie KurtzMadame de Volanges
Keanu ReevesLe Chevalier Raphael Danceny
Mildred NatwickMadame de Rosemonde
Peter CapaldiAzolan
Joe SheridanGeorges
Valerie GoganJulie
Where to Watch Dangerous Liaisons Online?
Streaming Hub🎟️ Rent on
Amazon VideoParents Guide & Age Rating
Dangerous Liaisons is rated R. Parents should be aware that it contains romantic content. It is intended for mature audiences only.
Final Verdict
Analyzing the audience sentiment, IMDb rating of 7.2/10, and global collection metrics, Dangerous Liaisons stands as a successful venture for the creators. It remains an essential piece of the 1988 cinematic year.
Official Trailer
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Dangerous Liaisons movie hit or flop?
Dangerous Liaisons is considered a hit based on audience response and box office performance. With a rating of 7.2/10, it's highly recommended for fans of Drama, Romance movies.
Is Dangerous Liaisons worth watching?
Yes, Dangerous Liaisons is definitely worth watching! It's a must-watch hit for fans of Drama, Romance cinema.
Where can I watch Dangerous Liaisons online?
Dangerous Liaisons may be available for rent or purchase on digital platforms like Apple TV, Google Play, or Amazon Prime Video. Specific streaming availability can vary by country.
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Critic Reviews for Dangerous Liaisons
"Dangerous Liaisons" is unquestionably one of the most captivating films to come along in quite some time. It is a visually stunning film and it makes extremely good use of some exceptional locations and interiors and the excruciatingly uncomfortable looking and cumbersome costumes are exquisitely authentic. Of course there are many people out there who will automatically shy away upon learning this is a period film and for good reason. Such films can by their very nature often be obscure and lack any meaning in the modern age. They are slow moving with arcane and unengaging dialogue and the tiresome plot can have no substance or consequence and it can lack momentum. This film has none of these failings and it is an incredibly well paced work of excellence throughout whose ensemble of characters go on the most unanticipated journeys to essentially the same destination: ruination.
movieMx Verified
This analysis is compiled by our editorial experts using multi-source verification and audience sentiment data for maximum accuracy.
