A soft and hesitant young man is in danger when he tries to break toxic relationships with a mysterious stranger claiming to be his friend.A soft and hesitant young man is in danger when he tries to break toxic relationships with a mysterious stranger claiming to be his friend.A soft and hesitant young man is in danger when he tries to break toxic relationships with a mysterious stranger claiming to be his friend.
- Awards
- 1 win & 1 nomination
- Band in Club
- (as jet freedom)
- Director
- Writer
- All cast & crew
- Production, box office & more at IMDbPro
Storyline
Did you know
- GoofsEarly in the movie when Michael is in the bar drinking a beer the glass is nearly empty. When it cuts to Michael getting his head slammed against the table the glass is suddenly almost full.
- Quotes
Michael: What happened last night?
Alex: What do you mean?
Michael: The last thing I remember is we were driving around Patterson's neighborhood. And I go into the office today and find out that he got beat up. And I'm standing there in the middle of everybody with dried blood all over my hand. Did we go to Patterson's last night?
Alex: Yes. We went to Patterson's.
Michael: I mean, I didn't hit him, did I?
Alex: You didn't just hit him. You beat the shit out of him.
Michael: What the hell were you doing?
Alex: Holding him down.
[Michael looks frantic]
Alex: Oh don't worry, I'm not gonna tell anybody.
Michael: *Tell* anybody? Jesus Christ, this guy is a colleague of mine!
Alex: Oh, don't worry about him! *He's* not gonna tell anyone. He knows you'd kill him if he did.
Michael: Wait a second... kill him?
Alex: Yeah. And if you didn't, I would. Told him that this morning... when I went to get the donuts.
Michael: Get out.
[Alex continues eating donuts]
Michael: GET OUT!
- Alternate versionsUK version is cut by 28 sec. to remove "dangerous imitable technique" during the scene where Alex attempts to kill Michael by connecting the car lights to the petrol tank.
- SoundtracksSpiritual Healing
Written by Toots Hibbert (as F. Hibbert)
Performed by Toots Hibbert (as Toots)
Produced by Chris Blackwell and Lowell 'Sly' Dunbar (as Sly Dunbar)
Courtesy of Mango Records, an Island Records company
"Bad Influence" is a decent thriller set in hip, "modern era" California, with various clubs and parties used as backdrops. Well shot by Robert Elswit, it boasts a screenplay by then relatively fresh screenwriter David Koepp. It may not be on the level of "Strangers on a Train", but it entertains in compelling enough fashion. The give and take between our hero and his nemesis creates sufficient tension, as Alex sets about trying to prove that he was merely exposing the hidden ugly side that Michael wasn't showing the world. As this plays out, you can't help but sympathize with Michael to some degree, as the story turns into this kind of nightmare that seems to have no end in sight. There are some sexy ladies in the cast, and a little dose of gore, so this thriller does deliver in terms of some sex and violence. Director Curtis Hanson, who at this time hadn't yet achieved mainstream recognition, guides it all in style.
Lowe is decent as the shady antagonist with the undetermined motives. He seems to be just plain evil. Spader outshines him, of course, and receives strong support from a cast including Lisa Zane, Kathleen Wilhoite, Marcia Cross, Tony Maggio, Grand L. Bush, and John de Lancie. Keep your eyes peeled for David Duchovny, who appears fleetingly in a club scene. Christian Clemenson delivers a standout performance as Michaels' slightly pathetic brother who tries to redeem himself in his siblings' eyes.
Solid entertainment that picks up considerably in its second half.
Seven out of 10.
- Hey_Sweden
- Jun 25, 2016
Details
- Release date
- Country of origin
- Language
- Also known as
- Todfreunde - Bad Influence
- Filming locations
- La Brea Tar Pits - 5801 Wilshire Blvd, Los Angeles, California, USA(Multiple scenes: Alex and Michael meet at tar pits. Body is found in pits.)
- Production companies
- See more company credits at IMDbPro
Box office
- Budget
- $7,000,000 (estimated)
- Gross US & Canada
- $12,626,043
- Opening weekend US & Canada
- $3,822,019
- Mar 11, 1990
- Gross worldwide
- $12,626,043
- Runtime1 hour 39 minutes
- Color
- Sound mix
- Aspect ratio
- 1.85 : 1