Bad Genius (2024) is an American heist thriller directed by J.C. Lee, co-written with Julius Onah. This English-language remake of the acclaimed 2017 Thai film stars Callina Liang as Lynn, a brilliant scholarship student who devises an elaborate cheating scheme to help her friends ace their exams. As their underground operation expands, Lynn finds herself at the center of a high-stakes game that tests her morals and pits her against the American education system.
Lynn, a gifted student from a modest background, earns a scholarship to the elite Exton Pacific School. There, she befriends Grace (Taylor Hickson), an aspiring actress struggling academically. To help Grace, Lynn devises a method to share test answers during exams. As word spreads, the scheme grows into a lucrative cheating ring, drawing in other students like Bank (Jabari Banks), another scholarship recipient facing financial hardships. Together, they plan an ambitious operation to cheat on the SATs, involving international coordination and high-tech strategies. However, as the risks escalate, Lynn grapples with the moral implications of her actions and the potential consequences.
- IMDB Rating - 6.2/10
- Director - J.C. Lee
- Writers - J.C. Lee, Julius Onah
- Stars - Callina Liang, Benedict Wong, Jabari Banks
