The Treacherous Allure: Unpacking Netflix's Bad Influence

Netflix’s Bad Influence (original Spanish title: Mala Influencia), directed by Chloé Wallace, is a romantic thriller that attempts to blend the suspense of a stalker narrative with the forbidden romance of a bodyguard-client relationship. Based on a popular Wattpad story, the film quickly climbed Netflix’s global charts, a testament to the enduring appeal of its core tropes, even if critical and audience reception has been largely divided. While it delivers on certain genre expectations, Bad Influence ultimately struggles to fully coalesce its disparate elements into a truly compelling or coherent cinematic experience.

A Premise Fraught with Familiarity

The film centers on Reese Russell (Eléa Rochera), a wealthy teenage dancer who finds herself the target of a mysterious and increasingly dangerous stalker. Her affluent father, Bruce Russell (Enrique Arce), takes matters into his own hands by hiring Eros Douglas (Alberto Olmo), an ex-con with a troubled past, as Reese’s personal bodyguard. The initial friction between the privileged, initially resistant Reese and the street-smart Eros quickly gives way to a simmering attraction, setting the stage for the romantic thriller. This “bad boy meets good girl” dynamic, coupled with the “protection turns to passion” trope, forms the backbone of the narrative, aiming to draw viewers into their blossoming relationship amidst the escalating threats.

The Dance Between Romance and Suspense

Bad Influence navigates a delicate balance between its romantic and suspenseful threads. The film dedicates significant screen time to developing the chemistry between Reese and Eros, highlighting their growing understanding and affection as they spend more time together. Moments of vulnerability, shared glances, and quiet confessions aim to build the emotional core of their burgeoning love story. Simultaneously, the movie sprinkles in unsettling incidents – a near-fatal accident, a car explosion, macabre gifts – to maintain the suspense of the stalker plot. However, this dual focus often feels unbalanced. The romantic developments sometimes overshadow the escalating danger, and the stalker plot, when it does surface, can feel a bit perfunctory until its climactic reveal.

Plot Twists and Missed Opportunities

The identity of Reese’s stalker and their motives form the central mystery of Bad Influence. The narrative cleverly introduces several red herrings, including Reese’s bitter ex-boyfriend and even her own father, keeping the audience guessing. The eventual reveal, involving Eros’s close friend Peyton (Mirela Balić) and a shared traumatic past linked to Reese’s family, attempts to add a layer of tragic revenge to the proceedings. However, this twist, while intended to be impactful, suffers from underdeveloped character motivations and a rushed explanation. The film struggles to provide sufficient depth to Peyton’s character or fully justify the extreme lengths to which she goes, leaving some viewers feeling that the “bad influence” of the title isn’t adequately explored or earned by the plot’s contrivances.

The Wattpad Effect and Audience Reception

It’s noteworthy that Bad Influence originated as a Wattpad novel, a platform known for its often fast-paced, trope-driven narratives popular with a young adult audience. This origin likely explains the film’s adherence to certain romantic thriller conventions and its emphasis on character dynamics over intricate plotting. While this approach has undeniably resonated with a significant segment of Netflix’s global viewership, it has also drawn criticism. Reviewers often point to plot holes, inconsistent character behavior, and a perceived lack of depth as shortcomings. The film’s popularity despite these critiques highlights a fascinating aspect of modern streaming consumption: for many, an engaging core concept and charismatic leads can outweigh narrative imperfections, especially when the film delivers on emotional connection and genre expectations.

Conclusion

Bad Influence is a film that, like its title, possesses a certain magnetic pull while also grappling with its own inherent flaws. It offers a dose of romantic suspense with a dash of mystery, appealing to audiences who enjoy familiar tropes and a focus on character relationships. While its execution may not satisfy all critical standards, its success on Netflix speaks to the power of popular source material and the enduring desire for escapist narratives. Ultimately, Bad Influence serves as a reminder that a “bad” movie, in terms of traditional critical metrics, can still exert a considerable “influence” on streaming charts and capture the attention of millions.