Rating: R
Genre:
Thriller
Theatrical Release: 03/09/1990(USA)
Release Date: 12/03/2002
SubTitles: English/French/Espanol
Dubbed: English/French
Sound: DDS
Run Time: 100 Minutes
Flags: Violence, Nudity, Adult Situations, Strong Sexual Content, Not For Children, Adult Language, Profanity, Substance Abuse (Alcohol, Drugs)
Distributor/Studio: MGM
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.
~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide