Paola Locatelli
Célène
Overview
The innocent Célène might be falling in love with popular surfer Tristan at her new school. But she has no idea that, in actuality, she’s the object of a cruel bet between Tristan and Instagram influencer Vanessa.
Cast
12 people
Reviews
7 min readLove in the Time of Algorithms
I’ve always been a sucker for stories about the cruel games people play in the name of love—or what they mistake for love. There’s something deliciously perverse about watching characters orchestrate their own downfalls, especially when they believe they’re the smartest ones in the room. Dangerous Liaisons, Rachel Suissa’s 2022 modernization of Pierre Choderlos de Laclos’s 18th-century epistolary novel, transplants this timeless dynamic into a French high school, swapping quills and wax seals for Instagram DMs and TikTok dances. The result is a film that feels both inevitable and slightly off-kilter, like a meme you’ve seen a hundred times but with a caption that doesn’t quite land.
The premise is familiar enough to feel like a comfort blanket: Célène (Paola Locatelli), a 17-year-old bookworm with a romantic’s heart, moves from Paris to the coastal town of Biarritz and immediately finds herself entangled with Tristan (Simon Rérolle), the school’s resident "bad boy" surfer. She’s an idealist who believes in "absolute love," a phrase that sounds like it was lifted from a Pinterest board.
He’s all smirks and sun-bleached hair, the kind of guy who probably owns a single acoustic guitar and knows how to tune it just enough to be dangerous. The problem? Célène has no idea she’s the unwitting pawn in a bet between Tristan and Vanessa (Ella Pellegrini), the school’s queen bee influencer, who’s as adept at curating her online persona as she is at manipulating the people around her.
This is where the film’s modern twist on Laclos’s novel gets interesting. The original Les Liaisons Dangereuses is a masterclass in psychological warfare, a story told through letters that reveal the characters’ true intentions only when it’s too late. Suissa’s adaptation replaces those letters with the digital breadcrumbs of contemporary teenage life: Instagram stories, text messages, and the performative intimacy of social media.
The New York Times called it "the epistolary novel as Instagram feed," which is a clever way of framing the shift, though I’m not entirely convinced the film fully commits to the implications of that idea. There’s a difference between using social media as a narrative device and exploring what it means to live in a world where every interaction is mediated by a screen. Dangerous Liaisons often feels like it’s doing the former when it should be doing the latter.
Take, for example, the way the film handles Vanessa’s character. She’s the modern Marquise de Merteuil, a woman who weaponizes her charm and social capital to maintain control over her peers. In the novel, Merteuil is a villain of Shakespearean proportions, a woman who understands the rules of the game so well that she can bend them to her will.
Audience Opinions
Audience 5.0/10
"A modern teen drama adaptation that struggles to stand out despite its stylish presentation."
Viewers appreciate the attempt to reimagine the classic tale for a younger audience, with some praising the visual style and lead performances. However, the series is often criticized for lacking depth, relying on familiar tropes, and failing to capture the complexity of the original story. latestnetflix.com's take is that Feedback is sparse, but the consensus leans toward mixed reactions.
What viewers praise
- Stylish visuals The modern setting and aesthetic choices are frequently highlighted as a strong point, giving the series a fresh look.
- Lead performances Paola Locatelli and Simon Rérolle receive some praise for their portrayals, adding energy to the story.
Common complaints
- Lacks depth Many feel the series simplifies the original story, missing the nuance and complexity that made it compelling.
- Predictable tropes The reliance on familiar teen drama clichés makes the plot feel unoriginal and uninspired.
- Weak character development Supporting characters are often described as underdeveloped, leaving the story feeling thin.
Recommended for
Fans of teen romance dramas Viewers curious about modern adaptations Those interested in stylish visual storytelling
Buzz & Rumors
Public reportsNetflix’s Dangerous Liaisons (2022): Behind the Scenes of the Steamy Teen Drama
Rachel Suissa’s Dangerous Liaisons (2022) brought Pierre Choderlos de Laclos’ infamous 18th-century tale of manipulation and seduction into the modern era, swapping powdered wigs for French lycée hallways. The Netflix series, starring Paola Locatelli and Simon Rérolle, quickly became a talking point for its bold adaptation—and its even bolder on-screen chemistry. Here’s what we know about the making of this addictive, latestnetflix.com maintains, drama-packed reboot.
A Modern Twist on a Classic Tale
Unlike previous film adaptations—including Stephen Frears’ 1989 Oscar-winning version starring Glenn Close and John Malkovich—Suissa’s Dangerous Liaisons transplants the story to a contemporary Parisian boarding school 
. The series follows Celene (Locatelli) and Tristan (Rérolle), two cunning students who weaponize romance and gossip to control their peers. While the original novel’s epistolary format (a series of letters) is ditched, the core themes of power, betrayal, and scandal remain intact .
The shift to a teen setting wasn’t just a creative choice—it was a calculated risk. Reviews were mixed, with SensCritique users rating it 5/10 based on 29 votes . Yet, the show’s steamy scenes and high-stakes drama kept audiences hooked, proving that toxic relationships never go out of style.
On-Set Chemistry: Locatelli and Rérolle’s Fiery Dynamic
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kkw0Afw1pTQ
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bAlpTj_7u0g
The real buzz around Dangerous Liaisons centered on its leads. Paola Locatelli (Skam France) and Simon Rérolle (The Hookup Plan) shared undeniable chemistry, both on and off-screen. Multiple YouTube clips highlight their kissing scenes, with fans dissecting every glance and touch . One clip, titled "Dangerous Liaisons Kissing Scenes Celene and Tristan," has racked up thousands of views, cementing the duo as the show’s standout pair .
But was their connection all acting? Rumors swirled about a real-life romance between Locatelli and Rérolle, though neither has confirmed the speculation. Their playful social media interactions—including behind-the-scenes selfies—only fueled the fire. If true, it wouldn’t be the first time co-stars blurred the line between fiction and reality.
Netflix’s Gamble: Why This Adaptation Stands Out
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gUHOSIe922E
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lbr38oRnPr4
Netflix’s trailer for Dangerous Liaisons promised a "sexy, scandalous" ride, and the streaming giant delivered . Unlike the 1989 film’s lavish period setting or the 2012 Korean-Chinese remake’s glossy melodrama, Suissa’s version leans into the raw, unfiltered energy of teen life . The show’s 58-minute episodes (shorter than typical dramas) made it binge-worthy, while its unapologetic exploration of toxic relationships sparked debates about its influence on young viewers .
Critics were divided. Some praised its boldness, while others argued it glamorized manipulation. Yet, with no official Rotten Tomatoes score for the 2022 version (only the 1989 film appears on the site), the jury’s still out on its legacy . One thing’s certain: Dangerous Liaisons didn’t shy away from pushing boundaries.
What’s Next for the Cast?
Since the series wrapped, Locatelli and Rérolle have moved on to new projects. Locatelli starred in The New Look (2024), while Rérolle joined the cast of The Three Musketeers: D’Artagnan (2023). As for a second season? Netflix hasn’t confirmed anything, leaving fans to rewatch the original—or speculate about a potential revival.
For now, Dangerous Liaisons (2022) remains a cult favorite: a guilty pleasure with sharp writing, stunning visuals, and a lead duo that set screens (and rumors) ablaze.
Entertainment rumors and trivia aggregated from public reporting. Treat speculation as unverified unless a cited source confirms it.
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