Bad Influence has expanded its cast with several familiar faces, bringing John Cho, Ethan Suplee, Danny Jolles and Arnas Fedaravičius into its young adult horror story. They join Xochitl Gomez, Madeleine McGraw and Jack Champion, who were previously announced as the film’s central trio. The latest casting announcement also comes with an important production update: director Jason Perlman has already completed filming on the project, which is written by Brandon Cohen. Rather than building its story around a haunted location, the film takes its characters on the road, where an unexpected passenger changes the course of a spring break journey.
The premise gives Bad Influence a distinct position in the young adult horror space. The film has been described as a modern-day Thelma & Louise fuelled by female rage. Madeleine McGraw plays Isabelle, while Xochitl Gomez portrays Kira, two friends travelling home during spring break. Their plans take an unexpected turn when they pick up Liam, a mysterious hitchhiker played by Jack Champion. The newcomer is not what he initially appears to be, turning what should have been an ordinary journey into a dangerous situation. The comparison with Thelma & Louise suggests a story driven by the bond between its two women, while the horror elements take the familiar road-trip setup in a darker direction.
The latest additions bring a wide range of screen experience to the film. John Cho is known to audiences through the Harold & Kumar comedies and the Star Trek franchise, while Ethan Suplee has appeared in American History X and the television comedy My Name Is Earl. Danny Jolles, whose credits include Hacks and Crazy Ex-Girlfriend, joins the ensemble alongside Arnas Fedaravičius, recognised for his work in The Last Kingdom. Their casting brings performers from comedy, drama and genre productions into a film led by a younger group of actors.
The central trio also brings connections to major franchise films. Xochitl Gomez played America Chavez in Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness, while Madeleine McGraw became familiar to horror audiences through The Black Phone and its sequel. Jack Champion appeared as Spider in Avatar: The Way of Water and also featured in Scream VI. Their combined experience in fantasy, superhero films and suspense-driven horror gives Bad Influence a cast with familiarity across several genres, while the new additions further broaden the ensemble.
Another notable aspect of the announcement is its timing. Casting news is often released while a film is preparing to begin production, but Bad Influence has already wrapped filming. The newly announced cast members are therefore being revealed after the cameras have stopped rolling, rather than as part of an update about production getting underway. Jason Perlman directs from Brandon Cohen’s screenplay, with Debbie Liebling, Joel David Moore and Zachary Burgess producing.
The production also reunites Debbie Liebling and Joel David Moore, who previously worked together on the comedies Dodgeball: A True Underdog Story (2004) and Grandma’s Boy (2006). Their earlier collaborations give the project a connection to two studio-era comedies, although Bad Influence takes them into a very different genre. The film’s release date and distribution plans have not yet been announced.
At the centre of Bad Influence is a spring break road trip that leaves room for the relationship between Isabelle and Kira to shape the story. Liam’s arrival provides the journey with its horror element, while the expanded cast brings together performers whose previous work spans comedy, drama, superhero films and genre cinema. Now that filming is complete, the next major developments to watch for are the film’s first footage, its release plans and how Jason Perlman brings this female-led road thriller to the screen.