Bad Genius

Movie Details:

Thai title	ฉลาดเกมส์โกง
Also known as	Chalard games goeng
Country	Thailand
Language	Thai
Genres	Comedy, Crime, Drama, Thriller
Release date	3 May 2017 (Thailand)
Running time	2hr 10min
Age rating	TV-MA
Starring	Chutimon Chuengcharoensukying Chanon Santinatornkul Teeradon Supapunpinyo Eisaya Hosuwan
Directed by	Nattawut Poonpiriya
Written by	Nattawut Poonpiriya Tanida Hantaweewatana Vasudhorn Piyaromna
Produced by	Jira Maligool Vanridee Pongsittisak Suwimon Techasupinan Chenchonnee Soonthonsaratul Weerachai Yaikwawong
Cinematography by	Phaklao Jiraungkoonkun
Edited by	Chonlasit Upanigkit
Music by	Hualampong Riddim
Production Company	Jor Kwang Films
Distributor	GDH 559

Cast & Characters:

• Chutimon Chuengcharoensukying as Lynn
• Eisaya Hosuwan as Grace
• Teeradon Supapunpinyo as Pat
• Chanon Santinatornkul as Bank
• Thaneth Warakulnukroh as Lynn’s father
• Sarinrat Thomas as Headmistress
• Ego Mikitas as STIC Supervisor
• Pasin Kuansataporn as Tong
• Sahajak Boonthanakit as Pat’s father
• Kanjana Vinaipanid as Pat’s mother
• Yuthapong Varanukrohchoke as Mr. Sophon
• Nopawat Likitwong as Exam Proctor
• Vittawin Veeravidhayanant as Pat’s friend
• Suwijak Mahatthanachotwanich as Pat’s friend
• Narwin Rathlertkarn as Pat’s friend
• Thanawat Sutat Na Ayutthaya as Pat’s friend
• Thanachart Phinyocheep as Pat’s friend
• Pichatorn Santinatornkul as STIC client
• Thanwalai Pornjirattikal as STIC client
• Natchanok Kamonrattananan as STIC client
• Thanyarat Naovaratpong as STIC client
• Theerasak Udomsub as STIC client
• Sivapee Mapaisalkij as STIC client
• Bundit Saejiw as STIC client
• Kobrsak Noomnoi as Teen Genius host
• Uraiwan Puvichitsutin as Bank’s mother
• Somchai Ruedikunrangsi as Bank’s father
• Sasidis Sasisakulporn as AV officer
• Panot Sukhjitr as Hoodlum
• Boonyarich Baijiam as Hoodlum
• David Gray as Facetime father
• Laluna Nitze as Facetime daughter
• Rod Mabin as Australian News Anchor
• David Bloom as STIC officer
• Neil Hayes as STIC officer
• Margaret Tuner as STIC officer
• Amie Cicciarello as STIC officer
• Valerie Bentson as STIC officer
• Taffy Marufu as STIC Invigilator
• Markus Waldow as Test centre supervisor’s assistant
• Arisa Hansura as Embassy consul
• Napha Sinxayvoravong as STIC Thai student
• Arisa Ogata as STIC Thai student
• Suttida Wongpramoth as STIC Thai student
• Connor Malanos as Busker
• Heather Prowse as Old lady at the station
• Salaithip Charubhumi as University professor
• Benjamin Nitze as Confession officer
• Valentin Velkov as Confession officer
• Suquan Bulakool as News anchor

Storyline:

Lynn, a genius high school student who makes money by helping others cheat tests, receives a new task that leads her to Sydney, Australia. In order to complete the millions-Baht task, Lynn and her classmate have to finish the international STIC (SAT) exam and deliver the answers back to her friends in Thailand, before the exam takes place once again in her home country.

About Movie:

Bad Genius, known in Thai as Chalard Games Goeng (ฉลาดเกมส์โกง), is a Thai heist thriller produced by Jor Kwang Films and distributed by GDH 559. Directed by Nattawut Poonpiriya, who co-wrote the script with Tanida Hantaweewatana and Vasudhorn Piyaromna, the film stars Chutimon Chuengcharoensukying in her debut role as Lynn, a straight-A student who masterminds a high-stakes exam-cheating scheme that escalates internationally.

Inspired by real-life news of a major SAT cheating scandal, the film brings a heist narrative into the world of school exams, exploring themes of class inequality and teenage social issues. The cast also includes Chanon Santinatornkul, Teeradon Supapunpinyo, and Eisaya Hosuwan as Lynn’s classmates Bank, Pat, and Grace, while veteran actor Thaneth Warakulnukroh plays her father.

Although most of the film was shot in Thailand, approximately 30% was filmed in Sydney, Australia. Director Nattawut estimated that ten Thai crew members traveled to Australia, while the local unit was sourced from Sydney. Filming there was more restricted, with challenging scenes like a chase sequence in Redfern railway station, which had to be coordinated with the train schedule.

The film was announced on 20 April 2017 by GDH, along with the release of its theme song Mong Chan Tee (มองฉันที), performed by Suthita Chanachaisuwan. The song is a rework of Why Can’t You See by indie pop band Fwends, with new lyrics by Apiwat Eurthavornsuk.

Released on 3 May 2017 in Thailand, Bad Genius topped the box office for two weeks, grossing over 100 million baht (US$3 million), becoming the highest-grossing Thai film of 2017. Internationally, it broke Thai box office records, particularly in China, where it earned over $30 million, becoming the most successful Thai film abroad. Critics lauded the film’s performances, especially Chutimon’s, along with its direction and screenplay, though some found fault with the ending. It won a record-breaking twelve awards at the 27th Suphannahong National Film Awards, including Best Picture.

Remake & Adaptations:

The film spawned multiple remakes and adaptations, with news of Hindi and American acquisitions first reported on in 2018. A TV series adaptation by GDH, titled Bad Genius: The Series, was broadcast from 3 August to 8 September 2020. It was aimed at the Thai and Chinese market, and was directed by Pat Boonnitipat. A Bollywood version, produced by Salman Khan, was released as Farrey in November 2023. And an American version, produced by Erik Feig and Patrick Wachsberger and directed by J.C. Lee, is being released as Bad Genius in 2024.

Budget & Box Office Collection:

Budget	THB 60,000,000 (estimated)
Worldwide Collection	$44,560,421