Bad Genius, the next Train to Busan?

MANILA, Philippines — Bad Genius, Thailand’s top-grossing film this year, is drawing comparisons to last year’s South Korean zombie thriller Train to Busan for raking in overseas box-office success.

Train to Busan struck box-office gold worldwide and was exported to 156 countries, from the US to the Philippines, South Korean media reports said.

Is Bad Genius, a film about students who make money by cheating in exams, the next big-screen sensation from Asia?

The film is topbilled by Chutimon “Aokbab” Chuengcharoensukying as the straight-A student Lynn; Eisaya “Oom” Hosuwan as the nice but academically-challenged Grace; Chanon “Non” Santinatornkul as the studious Bank; and Teeradon Supapunpinyo as the rich and opportunistic Pat.

Since its release in May in Thailand, the film has gone on to become the No. 1 Thai film in Asian territories, including Hong Kong, Taiwan, Malaysia and Vietnam, according to ScreenDaily. It also reported that the breakout hit has already been picked up for distribution in in China, South Korea, Japan and Australia.

The release in China last Oct. 13 has made Bad Genius the “sixth-ranked film globally” with $26.4M as total gross so far, Variety.com said, citing figures from ComScore.

Bad Genius opened in the Philippines over the weekend. In a media release, the film will roll into at least 7,000 cinemas in different countries beginning this month.

The male leads Chanon and Teeradon were in the Philippines over the weekend to grace the premiere night of their film at Robinsons Movieworld Galleria Ortigas. — Photos by ALLAN SANCON

The film proved to be a hit on the festival circuit as well. It was the opening feature of the 16th New York Asian Festival, where it was feted the Best Feature award and Screen International Rising Star Asia award for its female lead Aokbab.

It also won the Fukuoka Audience Award at the Focus on Asia Fukuoka International Film Festival 2017 and the Best Thriller at the Fantastic Fest. It’s been selected for the Vancouver International and BFI London filmfests.

US media like Hollywood Reporter and Variety gave the film high marks for being a “ceaselessly entertaining thriller” and “whip-smart script that makes answering multiple-choice questions as nail-biting and entertaining as Ocean’s Eleven.”

The wild reception to the film has been totally “unexpected” for its stars. The male leads Non, 21, and James, 20, were in the Philippines last Saturday to grace the premiere night of the film at Robinsons Movieworld Galleria Ortigas.

Saying that the film is a departure from the usual fare in Thailand such as horror, comedy and romantic stories, the achievement of Bad Genius makes them feel like “we made Thai movies go to the next level,” said Non.

Non said that the film doesn’t proselytize about cheating or otherwise. “It tells everyone that if you do cheat, you need to prepare for the consequences.”

Non and James are currently in school, taking up film production and journalism, respectively.

James entered showbiz through a reality TV-type of show called The Hormones: The Next Generation TV in 2014.

Non, on the other hand, said he never thought he’d become an actor. He shared that he was just dressed “so poorly” and walking around Siam when people from a magazine took a photo of him. “I don’t know why, but that was the starting point.” He debuted via the gay romance Love’s Coming in 2014. “I never thought I would have a chance to walk in this industry... But I love it now, I’m so into it,” Non said. 

As a high school student, James shared that he was good enough to land in a special science and math program. “But when I went to university, everything (was) gone,” James joked.

Non believes that one’s performance in school reflects how one is academically, but it doesn’t define who you are as a whole person because one is also shaped by his life experiences.

Both laughingly admitted that back in their younger years, there was a time they did cheat during exams. 

But they’re good boys now, promised Non.

Everyone expects them to have more opportunities after Bad Genius. But both actors are determined to earn their college degrees while juggling acting projects.

Bad Genius is now showing in theaters.