Bad Influence

R

Released Mar 9, 1990

1 hr. 39 min.

Mystery & Thriller

Drama

List

65%

20 Reviews

Tomatometer

51%

2,500+ Ratings

Audience Score

Los Angeles marketing analyst Michael Boll (James Spader) struggles with insecurity despite his successes -- until he meets a mysterious man, Alex (Rob Lowe), who promises to help him gain confidence. However, Alex's guidance becomes toxic when he introduces Michael to sex, drugs and crime. When Michael's life begins collapsing, he comes to realize that his mentor is a sociopath. Is it too late, or can Michael escape Alex's sinister web of machinations?

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Kenneth P

I love this movie. I saw it in theaters and watch it whenever I can find it on streaming. Rob Lowes best performance in anything.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

09/21/23

Full Review

Steve D

Spader is the only reason to watch.

Rated 2 out of 5 stars

02/24/23

Full Review

Carlos I

Leading the pack for the deluge of 90s Hitchcockian thrillers. This one bucks the trend by having both Spader and Lowe play against type, and they both do marvellously at it. If you're a fan of the style of thrillers of this type, from this period then you're probably not going to be surprised by anything that happens here, but you're sure to be entertained regardless.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

11/23/22

Full Review

jelisije j

A young yuppie goes to the dark side with the help from a new dangerous stranger.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

03/31/23

Full Review

deke p

A very good thriller. The title sez it. Seen it a couple times, latest 8.2021 "This TV" - kabc Channel 7.2

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

03/30/23

Full Review

Matthew D

A strong thriller with a great ending.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

08/10/21

Full Review

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Curtis Hanson

Director

Rob Lowe

Alex

James Spader

Michael Boll

Lisa Zane

Claire

Christian Clemenson

Pismo Boll

Kathleen Wilhoite

Leslie

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Juan Carlos Coto

Miami Herald

Bad Influence takes mostly predictable steps and tries to wrap up a forgotten subplot with some quick dialogue. It's also hard to watch Lowe make inside jokes during a movie with no substantial female characters -- the women are all props or plot devices.

Rated: 2/4

Aug 18, 2021

Full Review

Owen Gleiberman

Entertainment Weekly

Rated: B+

Sep 7, 2011

Full Review

Roger Ebert

Chicago Sun-Times

The movie sneaks up on you.

Rated: 3/4

Jan 1, 2000

Full Review

Rene Jordan

El Nuevo Herald (Miami)

An excellent thriller. [Full review in Spanish]

Oct 27, 2022

Full Review

Karl Soehnlein

OutWeek

Before becoming heavy handed, Bad Influence is almost worth rooting for.

May 19, 2020

Full Review

Matt Brunson

Creative Loafing

Lowe's surface performance is distracting and eliminates much of the suspense necessary to keep this sort of grasping Hitchcock wannabe afloat.

Rated: 2/4

Jun 5, 2016

Full Review

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Synopsis

Los Angeles marketing analyst Michael Boll (James Spader) struggles with insecurity despite his successes -- until he meets a mysterious man, Alex (Rob Lowe), who promises to help him gain confidence. However, Alex's guidance becomes toxic when he introduces Michael to sex, drugs and crime. When Michael's life begins collapsing, he comes to realize that his mentor is a sociopath. Is it too late, or can Michael escape Alex's sinister web of machinations?

Director: Curtis Hanson
Executive Producer: Richard Becker, Morrie Eisenman
Screenwriter: David Koepp
Production Co: Epic Productions
Rating: R
Genre: Mystery & Thriller, Drama
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Mar 9, 1990, Original
Release Date (Streaming): Sep 16, 2008
Box Office (Gross USA): $11.3M
Sound Mix: Surround

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