Main Cast: Rob Lowe, James Spader, Lisa Zane, Christian Clemenson, Kathleen Wilhoite
Release Year: 1990
Country: US
Run Time: 105 minutes
Plot
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
Tony Maggio - Patterson; Marcia Cross - Ruth Fielding; Grand L. Bush - Club Bartender; Lilyan Chauvin - Art Gallery Patrons; John deLancie - Howard; Jay Della - Chez Jay Bartender; David Duchovny - Club Goer; Said Faraj - Hamburger Clerk; Susan Lee Hoffman - Woman in Bar; Brendan Hughes - Arguing Man; Dominique Jennings - Woman at Tar Pit; Jeff Kaake - Man in Bar; Rosalyn Landor - Britt; John Mahon - Dr. Fielding; Keith McDaniel - Club Dancer; Joyce Meadows - Mrs. Fielding; Kelly Miller - Receptionist; Joey Miyashima - Man at Tar Pit; Sachi Parker - Michael's Neighbor; Warren Stanhope - Banker; Palmer Lee Todd - Naked Woman; John Verea - Rito; Sarah Elgart - Club Dancer; Bianca Rossini - Bumped Woman; Christina Cocek - Female Executive; Lisa Beach
Credit
William S. Combs - Art Director, Bonnie Koehler - Associate Producer, Lisa Beach - Casting, Bernie Goldmann - Co-producer, Malissa Daniel - Costume Designer, Curtis Hanson - Director, Bonnie Koehler - Editor, Morrie Eisenman - Executive Producer, Richard Becker - Executive Producer, Trevor Jones - Composer (Music Score), Carol Fenelon - Musical Direction/Supervision, Ron Foreman - Production Designer, Iya Labunka - Production Designer, Robert Elswit - Cinematographer, Steve Tisch - Producer, Leslie Morales - Set Designer, Gary Price - Stunts, Shane Dixon - Stunts, Jerry Spicer - Stunts, Patrick Romano - Stunts, David Koepp - Screenwriter
Bad Influence is a 1990American film starring Rob Lowe and James Spader. In this noirish film, Spader plays a yuppie who meets a mysterious stranger (Lowe) who encourages him to explore his darker side.
Michael is a sheepish person who is pushed around by everyone. He meets Alex, who teaches him to be assertive and indulge in risky behaviors. Things go too far when they go on a drug-fueled robbery spree and assault Michael's work rival, and when Michael wants out, Alex becomes angry. He steals all of Michael's possessions and frames him by killing a woman in his apartment. Michael's new-found sense of self-preservation helps him fight back with the help of his brother.
