Bad Influence, directed by the skillful Curtis Hanson, is a compelling and deeply unsettling psychological thriller that explores the destructive power of temptation and moral corruption. The film uses the neon-lit, shadowy backdrop of Los Angeles to tell a modern neo-noir story about a man’s identity being stolen and reshaped by a charismatic menace.
The plot centers on Michael Boll (James Spader), a timid and repressed financial analyst living a life of quiet desperation in L.A. Michael is passive, unhappy in his career, and struggling with an overbearing family and fiancée.
His life takes a sharp, irreversible turn after a chance encounter in a bar with Alex (Rob Lowe), a smooth, charming, and utterly amoral drifter. Alex instantly recognizes Michael’s deep-seated frustration and sets out to exploit it.
Alex systematically introduces Michael to a world of reckless abandon and transgression, encouraging him to shed his inhibitions.
Michael initially enjoys the newfound confidence and excitement, pulling away from his safe, predictable life, which includes his fiancée, played by Marcia Cross.
Their late-night adventures begin harmlessly, involving pranks and petty crime, but Alex’s actions quickly escalate to violence and manipulation.
Michael finds himself entangled in increasingly dangerous scenarios engineered by Alex, leading to a desperate struggle for control.
Lisa Zane, Kathleen Wilhoite, David Duchovny, John de Lancie, Jeff Kaake and Grand Bush round out the cast.
Rob Lowe in Bad Influence (Photo/Triumph Films)
Reception for Bad Influence
Bad Influence grossed $3.8 million on its opening weekend, finishing fourth at the box office.
The film grossed $12.6 million in its theatrical run.
Roger Ebert gave the film three out of four stars in his review.
Legacy
The legacy of Bad Influence is cemented by the electric, contrasting performances of its two leads, with Lowe delivering a career-defining turn as the beautiful, psychotic catalyst of chaos.
Hanson utilizes the genre’s tropes expertly, delivering a smart, stylish film that feels both intensely personal and deeply disturbing.
The film remains a chilling examination of how easily a good person can be pushed past the point of no return when exposed to a potent dose of moral anarchy.
