Bad Influence (Mala Influencia) Movie: Cast, Plot of the Spanish Film Based on a Book - Netflix Tudum

  • Deep Dive

    Bad Influence: Everything to Know About the Spanish Film

    A teen ballerina is assigned a bodyguard against her wishes in this romance drama.

    By Ingrid Ostby
    May 12, 2025

A young man with a dark past gets a chance to start over when he’s hired to protect a wealthy teen — until their forbidden love gets in the way. Starring Alberto Olmo, Eléa Rochera, and Enrique Arce, the drama film Bad Influence (Mala Influencia) follows a stubborn teen and her bodyguard as he shields her from the threats of a mysterious stalker. The romantic thriller was directed by Chloé Wallace (A Perfect Story). 

Popular Now

  • The Boroughs Makes Itself at Home at No. 1 in This Week’s Top 10
    A concerned older man and a woman sit closely together inside a car, both looking intently at something outside, suggesting suspense or curiosity in a dramatic setting.

When will Bad Influence be released?

Stream it now.

Alberto Olmo as Eros Douglas and Eléa Rochera as Reese Russell stand beside two motorbikes during sunset on the side of a road in an image from ‘Bad Influence.’

Who’s in the cast of Bad Influence?

  • Alberto Olmo (Montecristo) as Eros Douglas
  • Eléa Rochera (Caiga Quien Caiga) as Reese Russell
  • Enrique Arce (Money Heist) as Bruce Russell
  • Mirela Balić (Elite) as Peyton, Eros’ close friend
  • Sara Ariño as Lily, Reese’s best friend
  • Farid Bechara (My Loneliness Has Wings) as Diego, Eros’ close friend
  • Fer Fraga (30 Coins) as Raúl, Reese’s ex-boyfriend
  • Mar Isern (Vestidas de Azul) as Karol, Reese’s friend
  • Selam Ortega (Raising Voices) as Bárbara, Reese’s friend
  • Clara Chaín (Drug Squad: Costa del Sol) as Ariadna

What happens in Bad Influence?

Bruce (Arce) is increasingly overprotective of his daughter, a teen ballerina named Reese (Rochera). It’s not wholly without reason: Reese has a stalker whose identity she doesn’t know, and she may be in grave danger. So millionaire Bruce hires the brooding Eros (Olmo) as his child’s bodyguard. Eros, who’s been living in and out of foster care and juvenile detention, is intrigued by his privileged protectee — though he’s on strict orders from Bruce to ensure his relationship with Reese never becomes personal. Stubborn Reese, on the other hand, is frustrated about having a bodyguard at all, claiming it’s social suicide at the prestigious private school she attends. As the two are forced to spend time together amid the threats against Reese — including intimidation and bullying by her ex-boyfriend, Raúl (Fraga) — their bond deepens, despite the odds.

Eléa Rochera as Reese Russell holds a blue locker open in a school hallway while wearing a navy private-school uniform in an image from ‘Bad Influence.’

Is Bad Influence based on a book?

Yes. Bad Influence is a film adaptation of a Wattpad novel of the same name by anonymous author teensspirit, aka B A B E. Since its debut in 2017, the online novel has had more than 51 million reads. 

Where does Bad Influence take place?

The film takes place in an affluent suburb in Spain. It was filmed in Madrid. 

Romance Movies to Fall in Love With
Related Tags

Shop Bad Influence

Go to Netflix Shop

Discover More Deep Dive

  • The Murder of Rachel Nickell: What to Know About the True Crime Doc
    Her partner and son waited 16 years for justice to be served.
  • New series Instadocs answers the burning questions on everyone’s minds.
  • The series follows Nadal through injury, anxiety, and the decision to retire.
  • A group of new college graduates must navigate a messy SoCal homecoming.
  • Can a lawyer’s meditation skills keep him on top of two criminal enterprises? 
  • The stand-up’s sketch comedy series features an all-star line up of guests.

Discover More Drama

  • A wide array of films to celebrate Pride this month — or anytime at all.
  • The three-part series explores the aftermath of Rachel Nickell’s murder.
  • The new film stars Sam Rockwell and Woody Harrelson.
  • The second installment of Tina Fey’s friendship comedy is now streaming.
  • The upcoming adaptation has been renewed before Season 1 premieres in July.
  • Willa Dunn, Rachelle Lefevre, and Charlotte Sullivan join the cast.