Bad Influence – Movie Review | Netflix (2/5)

BAD INFLUENCE on Netflix is a Spanish Thriller (org. title: Mala influencia) of the semi-spicy teen romance kind. It’s a story about revenge, but that particular element is second to the romance, I’d say. Read our full Bad Influence movie review here!

BAD INFLUENCE is a new Netflix movie from Spain (org. title: Mala influencia). It’s exactly the kind of Netflix production that you just know will end up on their Top 10. Not because it’s good, but because it speaks to a large demographic.

Who exactly is in that demographic? I can’t say for sure. It plays out like a 50 Shades of Grey for teens. Okay, not really, as the spicy scenes take up very little runtime, but the romance takes up plenty of screen time.

Ultimately, it’s a revenge tale, but that part of the movie could’ve been a short film.

Continue reading our Bad Influence movie review below. Find it on Netflix now.

Who is the bad influence?

In the Spanish thriller Bad Influence, we meet the ex-con, Eros (Alberto Olmo), as the wealthy Bruce (Enrique Arce) offers him a fresh start. He’s hired to protect a wealthy heiress from a stalker.

By taking on this job, he’s able to get out of prison three months ahead of time. Of course, this isn’t the only reason he takes the job (or is offered it, in the first place), but you’ll see that for yourself.

Of course, the young heiress, Reese (Eléa Rochera), is a beautiful young woman, just like Eros is a handsome young man, which means their chemistry comes into play. Obviously, the two can’t resist this as they grow closer.

Is this Netflix movie for you?

Is Bad Influence an interesting or a good movie? Well, for love-starved and dreamy teenagers, who see themselves as bad boys or those who will redeem a bad boy, I’m sure it’s a fun watch. For the rest of us? Not so much.

The final part of the movie, which does focus on the whole vengeance element, is interesting enough. Still, no need to watch 1 hour and 45 minutes to tell that very simple and short story.

Overall, I can’t say the actors aren’t doing a good job, as they are delivering exactly what’s expected of them. It’s just a very predictable and trope-filled movie, so if you’re in the mood for that, then Bad Influence will deliver. If not, then you’ll want to skip this one.

Even if the production is gorgeous. And it is!

Watch Bad Influence on Netflix now

Bad Influence (org. title: Mala influencia) was directed by Chloé Wallace, who also co-wrote the screenplay with Diana Muro. I want to mention that Chloé Wallace directed the 2023 Netflix mini-series A Perfect Story (org. title: Un Cuento Perfecto) with an IMDb rating of 7.4.

Also, Chloé Wallace previously directed music videos for Shura and Katy Perry. And yes, I do feel that you can tell this movie was made by two women.

The female gaze does come into play as it was made more for teens (or dreamy young female adults and gay young men) than men, who want to lust after the young female lead. If anything, it’s the young male lead we’re supposed to be lusting after.

Or their romance, rather.

That’s not for me, however, I want to recognize that while I am not the intended demographic for this movie, it doesn’t make it a bad movie. I still maintain that it isn’t a good movie overall, either, but it does deliver on what some viewers want.

And kudos to the filmmakers for delivering on that. Just skip it if you can tell it isn’t your thing.

Bad Influence premiered on Netflix on May 9, 2025.

Details

Director: Chloé Wallace
Writers: Chloé Wallace, Diana Muro
Cast: Alberto Olmo, Eléa Rochera, Enrique Arce, Mirela Balić, Farid Bechara, Sara Ariño, Fer Fraga, Mar Isern, Selam Ortega, Clara Chaín, María José Mariscal, Arnaud Préchac