| What we have here is an “opposites-sides-of-the-tracks” romance, which typically works much better as romantic dramedy, and could theoretically work as an erotic thriller that Bad Influence is aiming for. When it works, it’s a sexy, intriguing romance. When it doesn’t work, it’s an over-wrought campy thriller with an under-developed screenplay, tacky editing, and poorly written characters. And man, I really wanted this to work. | | 2025
Directed by: Chloé Wallace
Screenplay by: Chloé Wallace, Diana Muro
Starring: Alberto Olmo, Eléa Rochera
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Eros (Alberto Olmo) is from the wrong side of the tracks – grew up in foster homes, has been in and out of jail, and in desperate need of a stable job to keep himself out of jail. The job offer comes from Reese’s father. Initially presented as a rich lawyer, he’s actually supposed to be a shady business man, a prime example of the poorly written characters. Reese (Eléa Rochera) is a pretty girl who grew up rich and popular. She loves ballet and she’s good at it, she’s sweet and nice, but as she turns eighteen, her life starts taking a very different turn.
Reese is being harassed by an anonymous stalker. After getting blown off by the cops who don’t give a shit, her father hires Eros to be her bodyguard. Some more bad writing: Cops generally do care about really rich teen girls, but alas that’s the premise; the whole illegality of the literal attempts to murder Reese are ignored.
Eros is hot, Reese is pretty, and together they are sexy. The first half of the movie toys with their relationship really well. He sees her as a spoiled rich girl, she’s intrigued by his bad boy demeanor; there’s enough chemistry there to want them together, and by the time they do get together, the chemistry is even stronger, and they’re really hot together (you do have to ignore some momentarily horrendous editing during the sex scene).
The problem is pairing that romantic drama with the thriller of finding Reese’s stalker. The first obvious suspect is Reese’s ex-boyfriend, a similarly rich spoiled brat, who has not handled their break-up well. I wish it was him. They could have turned this entire movie into more of a romantic comedy since his character is pathetic in an amusing way.
Other suspects include Reese’s father – is he an over-bearing father or an absentee father? He is frequently referred to as both, so more examples of a poorly written character; and Eros’ friend Peyton. If her primary role was to make Reese jealous, then I’m all for it, because the romance and relationship entanglements are by far the best part of this movie, but she becomes increasingly mysterious, which doesn’t work since she’s barely even a character at the beginning and by the end she’s not written as anything logical.
The score is overly dramatic, as much as it should be a romantic drama, they unfortunately don’t want anyone thinking that’s what this. Most cinematography, music and lighting choices are good – it really does have a fun and intriguing vibe for the most of the movie.
Bad Influence tries too hard to be an erotic thriller, and ends up turning tragic and can no longer pair it with the romance which was well constructed in the first half.
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