Bad Influence

1990

Bad Influence

Critics Consensus

No consensus yet.

67%

TOMATOMETER

Total Count: 18

50%

Audience Score

User Ratings: 4,210

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Movie Info

Successful LA marketing analyst Michael Boll (James Spader) seemingly has it all -- except a sense of self-confidence. Enigmatic drifter Alex (Rob Lowe) enters Michael's life and immediately begins to exert a negative influence. As Michael's self-esteem zooms (aided by generous dollops of sex and drugs) he allows himself to be dragooned into a life of crime by the demonic Alex. The "doppelganger" aspects of Bad Influence, and the film's many unexpected twists and turns, echo films of Alfred Hitchcock, especially Strangers on a Train. The film's boldest stroke is to cast the likeable Lowe as the bad guy (albeit a charming one) and the often villainous Spader as the malleable milquetoast.
  • Rating:
    R (adult situations/language, nudity, violence)
  • Genre:
    Drama, Mystery & Suspense
  • Directed By:
    Curtis Hanson
  • Written By:
    David Koepp
  • In Theaters:
     wide
  • On Disc/Streaming:
  • Runtime:
  • Studio:
    Sony Pictures Home Entertainment

Cast

Rob Lowe
as Alex
James Spader
as Michael Boll
Lisa Zane
as Claire
Christian Clemenson
as Pismo
Kathleen Wilhoite
as Leslie
Tony Maggio
as Patterson
Marcia Cross
as Ruth
Lisa Beach
Palmer Lee Todd
as Naked Woman
Rosalyn Landor
as Britt
Susan Lee Hoffman
as Woman in Bar
Jeff Kaake
as Man in Bar
Jay Della Valle
as Chez Jay Bartender
Grand L. Bush
as Club Bartender
David Duchovny
as Club Goer
Bianca Rossini
as Bumped Woman
John De Lancie
as Howard
Warren Stanhope
as Banker
Lilyan Chauvin
as Art Gallery Patrons
John Mahon
as Dr. Fielding
Joyce Meadows
as Mrs. Fielding
Said Faraj
as Hamburger Clerk
John Verea
as Rito
Sachi Parker
as Michael's Neighbor
Kelly Miller
as Receptionist
Christina Cocek
as Female Executive
Brendan Hughes
as Arguing Man
Joey Miyashima
as Man at Tar Pit
Dominique Jennings
as Woman at Tar Pit
Sarah Elgart
as Club Dancer
Keith Henry McDaniel
as Club Dancer
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Critic Reviews for Bad Influence

All Critics (18) | Top Critics (3) | Fresh (12) | Rotten (6)

View All Critic Reviews (18)

Audience Reviews for Bad Influence

  • Oct 01, 2012
    a down hill point in Rob Lowe,
    Bruce B Super Reviewer
  • Nov 06, 2011
    Appropriately tense and atmospheric, Bad Influence works well largely because of James Spader and Rob Lowe, who have a great on screen dynamic that makes the film work not only as a thriller, but also as a character study. The twists are also generally well executed, save a predictable and safe ending. Note: This film is interesting for two reasons. For one, David Duchovny has about a two second appearance as a bar patron. It also teams up James Spader and Christian Clemenson as brothers, who will later work together closely again in Boston Legal.
    Jeffrey M Super Reviewer
  • Apr 27, 2011
    Awesome movie. There's a nice buildup of Lowe's character Alex. It makes Alex seem like a great guy after he stands up for Michael, and they have a nice friendship together, until the relationship slowly spirals into an out of control life or death situation. The pacing of this movie is perfect; not too fast and not too slow. There aren't any boring parts either, which I'm very thankful for. Nothing worse than watching a boring movie. Both characters are likable (at least until Lowe's true character is established), and they both have qualities that make them seem like real individuals. The development of Spader's character was great. I like seeing a character evolve into a completely different one by the end of a movie. It was a slow transition from shy/passive office worker to aggressive/violent gunman, but it worked. It was awesome. It was a very cool movie to watch.
    Japes . Super Reviewer
  • Sep 06, 2010
    Two of the hottest actors of the 80s finally star in a movie together! I was so excited to see this on TV that day, it was so awesome. Not only did it have good actors, but the story is good, and it's very exciting. I really liked this movie.
    Aj V Super Reviewer
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