Bad Genius (2024 film)
| Bad Genius | |
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Theatrical release poster | |
| Directed by | J.C. Lee |
| Screenplay by |
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| Based on | Bad Genius by Nattawut Poonpiriya |
| Produced by |
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| Starring | |
| Cinematography | Brett Jutkiewicz |
| Edited by | Franklin Peterson |
| Music by |
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Production companies |
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| Distributed by | Vertical |
Release date |
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Running time | 96 minutes |
| Country | United States |
| Language | English |
Bad Genius is a 2024 American heist thriller film directed by J.C. Lee and co-written by Julius Onah. It is an English-language remake of the 2017 Thai film of the same name. It stars Benedict Wong, Callina Liang, Jabari Banks, Taylor Hickson, and Sarah-Jane Redmond.
Cast
- Benedict Wong as Meng, Lynn's father
- Callina Liang as Lynn, a genius girl and Meng's daughter
- Jabari Banks as Bank
- Taylor Hickson as Grace
- Sarah-Jane Redmond as Irene Walsh
Plot Summary
Lynn Kang is a gifted Thai American high school student who receives a scholarship to an elite private school. After helping her classmate Grace cheat on a test, Lynn is approached by other students who offer to pay her for answers. Using her knowledge of music and finger movements from piano training, Lynn creates a covert code to signal correct responses during exams.
Demand increases, and Lynn expands the scheme with the help of another top student, Bank. Their cheating operation spreads across multiple classes and major standardized tests. As the stakes grow, tension develops between Lynn and Bank over money, ethics, and the consequences of being caught.
Suspicion from faculty and inconsistencies in exams lead to an investigation. The cheating network eventually collapses. Lynn’s scholarship is revoked, and her academic future becomes uncertain. The aftermath forces Lynn and Bank to confront the impact of their actions and the pressures that led them to cheat.
Production
In May 2019, Erik Feig and Patrick Wachsberger announced that they were producing an English-language remake of the 2017 Thai film Bad Genius. It was originally to be written by Eva Anderson.[1] In March 2023, they announced that J.C. Lee would be directing and co-writing the screenplay with Julius Onah. Benedict Wong, Callina Liang, Jabari Banks, Taylor Hickson, and Sarah-Jane Redmond rounded out the main cast. Principal photography began in May 2023.[2]
Release
Bad Genius was released in the United States by Vertical on October 11, 2024.[3]
Reception
On the review aggregator website Rotten Tomatoes, 72% of 18 critics' reviews are positive, with an average rating of 6.2/10.[4]
References
- ^ D'Alessandro, Anthony (16 May 2019). "Thai High School Pic 'Bad Genius' Remake In The Works With Erik Feig & Patrick Wachsberger – Cannes". Deadline. Archived from the original on 16 May 2019. Retrieved 19 May 2019.
- ^ Jackson, Angelique (March 23, 2023). "Benedict Wong, Jabari Banks and Callina Liang to Star in 'Bad Genius,' Directed by JC Lee". Variety. Retrieved October 5, 2024.
- ^ Grobar, Matt (July 30, 2024). "Vertical Takes North America On 'Bad Genius,' J.C. Lee's English-Language Remake Of Thai Thriller". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved October 5, 2024.
- ^ "Bad Genius". Rotten Tomatoes. Fandango Media. Retrieved August 9, 2025.
External links
- Bad Genius at IMDb