Bad Influence

Right, well I have to say that I was a bit reluctant about sitting down to watch the 2022 thriller "Bad Influence". Why? Well, the movie was just having that particular Life Time movie aura to it, and with Jennie Garth at the helm, I just wasn't convinced.

However, I opted to go against that little voice at the back of my mind and actually take the time to sit down and watch what writer Adam Rockoff and director Bill Corcoran had to offer with "Bad Influence". And I am actually glad that I did, because this was a surprisingly good and enjoyable movie.

The storyline was rather nicely written, and it definitely had some appeal to it. I was rather quickly submerged into the storyline, so writer Adam Rockoff did manage to churn out a rather enjoyable and wholesome storyline. It wasn't a massive rollercoaster of a thriller, but it provided me with adequate entertainment.

Now, aside from an adequate storyline and script, what made "Bad Influence" work was the cast ensemble and their acting performances. First of all, I must say that Jennie Garth definitely stepped up and managed to put aside that Kelly Taylor mantle on the shelf, proving to me that there was much more talent to her than just that. But then again, I haven't seen her in anything since the time in "Beverly Hills 90210" and "Melrose Place". But truth be told, it was actress Keyleigh Shikanai that carried the movie phenomenally well with her performance as the somewhat mentally distraught cult leader Violet Lawrence. I was so impressed with her performance in "Bad Influence".

I was genuinely entertained by "Bad Influence" from director Bill Corcoran, and it is a movie that is well-worth taking the time to sit down and watch. However, the contents of the movie is just not strong enough to support more than a single viewing.

My rating of "Bad Influence" lands on a well-deserved six out of ten stars.

Title tells it. A teenager becomes influenced to behave negatively towards her mother due to a new friend in her new school. The single mother takes notice of this change in her benevolent daughter and investigates this new girl that has aggressively befriended her and what she discovers shocks her to the core.

The script is not the best and the acting falls easily into a Hallmark show.. I personally am always happy to see Jeannie Garth in things. She always commits and it shows. She is easily the best in the character department, however, there isn't a lot given to work with, depth wise. It is an easy watch and perhaps if you've teenagers that are easily swayed by others to behave foolishly, this movie will serve as a "see what can happen if you do not think for yourself?" and " Bad company corrupts good morals".

The daughter Lily has the most random outbursts and gets mad at the dumbest things. She needs therapy to be honest.

This movie is ok. It's the best and certainly not the worst. You can get through it.

A dumb premise. No real explanation for the main character's behavior. The third act really comes off the rails in the most ridiculous of ways. Wouldn't recommend.

Blood is thicker than water - is that just a pun/cliche or something that holds true most of the time? When it comes to movies, you should at least expect some cliches of course. Like you get here - but very well played by those involved. Well played as good as one can expect for a movie of this "magnitude".

Take this with a grain of salt, suspend your disbelief and just enjoy the ride if you can. Because this is as predictable as it gets. With over the top twists to add to the flavor. Except maybe the ending - there is something sinister in there ... or maybe not - maybe you feel differently about it, having looked it in the eye (sorry for the pun)