Bad Genius subverts the model minority myth
Bad Genius is an American adaptation of the popular 2017 Thai film of the same name, reimagined by writer-director J.C. Lee for an American audience. While staying true to the premise of the original film, this version repositions its characters as high school students grappling with the pressures of social class and academic competition at an elite private school.
The high-stakes 2024 drama follows Lynn, a brilliant scholarship student who masterminds an elaborate scheme to help her wealthy peers in her new school ace their exams as a way to pay for college and help her father.
The film stars rising talents Liang (Presence) and Jabari Banks (Bel-Air), alongside industry veteran Benedict Wong (Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings, Doctor Strange, 3 Body Problem).
Cold Tea Collective caught up with director J.C. Lee, Benedict Wong, Callina Liang and Jabari Banks to discuss the film.
First-Generation Pressures in Education
With the end of affirmative action and skyrocketing college tuition, Bad Genius is poised to strike a chord with young viewers facing their own struggles in the pursuit of a better future.
Director J.C. Lee hopes that viewers can see their experiences reflected in the characters. “I hope viewers feel that the film is truthful and resonates with their experience,” Lee shared. “We were all young once and sometimes we make mistakes, but that’s okay. We can all grow up and become better versions of ourselves.”
The pressure to succeed is often amplified for first-generation immigrant students, who often carry the weight of their families’ sacrifices on their shoulders.
Liang related to her character Lynn’s journey. “Lynn is so young and feels a lot of pressure from having to please her family and please herself,” said Liang. “So when she gets presented with this cheating scheme that can potentially get her into her dream school and help her dad, she has to grapple with this moral challenge.”
Jabari Banks, who plays ‘Bank’, another scholarship student caught in the cheating web, shared similar thoughts. “Bank is a very quiet, earnest, and introverted young man who gets thrown into this environment where he’s a fish out of water,” said Banks. “At the end of the day, he just wants to please his family.”
See also: Not another teen movie: Dìdi (弟弟)
Subverting the Model Minority Myth
Even today, the model minority myth continues to be a prevalent stereotype in film and media. Bad Genius subverts this trope by portraying its protagonist as someone who uses her intelligence to manipulate the system, rather than conforming to it.
Director J.C. Lee emphasized the importance of showing nuanced Asian American characters. “As an Asian American artist, part of the opportunity that I have is to tell stories with fullness and complexity and not just limit Asian American characters, and Asian characters generally, to the side of a story,” Lee explained. “They can be the center of the story and can be full, real, and complicated. And that is just as valid as any other character from any other story.”
Benedict Wong drew from his childhood experiences when playing Lynn’s father. “I grew up in a takeaway restaurant business and I saw how hard they worked, all out of love to make sure that we had a better future,” Wong recalled. “The immigrant story is hoping for a better life and creating that security that one day there’ll be generational wealth. She is his greatest hope, and he wants her security and she wants her dreams.”
See also: Fighting the Model Minority Myth
Navigating Ambition and Inequality
In a time of increasing wealth inequality and debates over access to higher education, Bad Genius touches on the urgent realities facing students today. The film highlights how economic privilege and academic achievement are intertwined, with high-achieving students like Lynn and Bank navigating a world where their talent alone may not be enough to secure a future.
At its core, Bad Genius is more than just a high-stakes thriller—it’s a commentary on the ethical dilemmas students face in a deeply unequal system. Director J.C. Lee and the cast offer a compelling portrayal of ambition, sacrifice, and the cost of success, revealing the lengths to which students may go in pursuit of the American Dream in today’s competitive world.
Watch Bad Genius in select theaters and on demand.
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