Netflix: Bad Influence (2025) review: Pretty people, pretty boring

Let’s not sugarcoat it—Bad Influence is a mess. It tries to be a suspenseful romantic thriller. It tries to be deep. It tries to be Elite meets Bodyguard with a side of Wattpad drama. But trying isn’t the same as succeeding, and this movie just doesn’t pull it off.

The plot of Bad Influence is thin. The suspense is weak. The pacing is uneven. And by the time the stalker reveal happens, you're more tired than tense. It's like watching a beautiful Instagram reel—nice to look at, but zero emotional payoff.

But. BUT.

The cast? Gorgeous. Every. Single. One.

Especially Alberto Olmo, the male lead. This man is unfairly attractive. Like, distractingly so. Honestly, the only reason Bad Influence holds your attention is because you're busy staring at his face. If looks could save a script, he would've turned this disaster into an Oscar contender.

Disclaimer: This article is based on the writer's opinion. Reader's discretion is advised.

The Plot: Confusing, cliché, and kinda boring

Here’s what’s supposed to happen:

Reese Russell, a rich ballerina girl, starts getting stalker threats. Her emotionally unavailable father hires a young, ex-con bodyguard named Eros Douglas (Alberto Olmo) to protect her. There’s tension. There’s danger. And yes, romance blooms.

But nothing really lands. The story plays like a checklist:

Forbidden romance? Check.
Creepy notes and threats? Check.
High school drama? Check.
Big twist? Check—but it's barely a twist.

The stalker reveal (it’s Peyton, btw) is random, rushed, and not even remotely satisfying. It’s like the script wanted to shock us, but forgot to build the suspense to earn it.

Expand Tweet

You keep waiting for things to get interesting. They don’t. The plot feels stitched together from 100 different YA thrillers. And not even the good ones.

The Direction: Stylish but soulless

Let’s give credit where it’s due—the movie looks good. Director Chloé Wallace knows how to set a scene, and cinematographer Beatriz Sastre makes sure every frame is polished. The dance scenes are pretty. The lighting is nice. The mood is moody.

But all that gloss? It’s covering an empty script. The tension doesn’t build. The stalker subplot feels like it was added in post. Scenes come and go with little impact.

It’s like watching a perfume ad that’s two hours long. Beautiful, dramatic, but what’s it selling?

The Writing: Wattpad energy, in all the wrong ways

Bad Influence is based on a viral Wattpad story, and unfortunately, it never grows beyond that. The dialogue is flat. Characters say things like “I’m broken” and “You don’t understand me” and expect us to swoon.

Plot points get thrown in like confetti:

Eros’s criminal past? Mentioned, never explored.
Reese’s emotional trauma? Touched on, then dropped.
Bruce Russell, the rich dad? Completely underwritten.

Expand Tweet

By the time the movie ends, nothing really resolves. The emotional beats are shallow, and the script never gives the characters the development they deserve.

This script needed another draft. Or three. Maybe just a whole new writer's room.

The Cast: The only reason to keep watching

Now let’s talk about the film’s one real strength: the cast. They look like they walked out of a fashion editorial—and bless them for it.

Alberto Olmo as Eros: Let’s be real. He carried this movie on his jawline alone. He’s got smolder. He’s got softness. He makes terrible lines sound almost convincing. You can’t not watch him.
Eléa Rochera as Reese: She’s beautiful and does what she can with what she’s given. You get glimpses of strength in her performance, but the script keeps holding her back.
Mirela Balić as Peyton: The twist villain. Pretty face, confusing motives. Again, not her fault.
Fer Fraga, Sara Ariño, Farid Bechara: All very attractive. All very underused. They mostly float in the background, but at least they’re easy on the eyes.

If this cast had been given a better script, we might’ve had a real hit. Instead, they’re doing their best in a movie that doesn’t deserve them. Still, if you’re just here for the pretty faces? You’ll be fed.

Expand Tweet

The Romance: All chemistry, no substance

Reese and Eros have undeniable chemistry. That tension is there, but the writing doesn’t know what to do with it. Their relationship jumps from enemies to soulmates in, like, two scenes. There’s no build, no depth, no real conversation between them.

Class difference? Barely explored. Emotional stakes? Half-baked. You’re just watching two gorgeous people orbit each other while the plot throws fake threats in the background.

They could’ve been iconic. But they’re stuck in a plot that treats romance like a montage, not a journey.

The Ending: Rushed and forgettable

By the time the stalker is revealed and the danger "ends," the movie basically packs up. There’s no real fallout. No emotional wrap-up. Peyton gets exposed. Reese and Eros get a soft, romantic moment. And... that’s it.

It feels like the script hit its word count and stopped.

Bad Influence builds up this storm of drama and then ends with a drizzle. If you blink, you’ll miss the conclusion.

Watch Bad Influence for the beauty, skip for the story

Bad Influence (2025) is all style, no soul. It’s beautifully shot and beautifully cast, but the plot is empty, the suspense is weak, and the romance is a missed opportunity. It could’ve been something special. Instead, it’s just pretty people pretending to be in danger.

Final Takeaways: