Bad Genius

Bad Genius, known in Thai as Chalard Games Goeng (ฉลาดเกมส์โกง), is a 2017 Thai heist thriller film produced by Jor Kwang Films and distributed by GDH 559. Directed by Nattawut Poonpiriya and co-written by Nattawut, Tanida Hantaweewatana, and Vasudhorn Piyaromna, it stars Chutimon Chuengcharoensukying in her feature film debut as Lynn, a straight-A student who devises an exams-cheating scheme which eventually rises to international levels. Inspired by real-life news reports of a major SAT cheating scandal, the film transplants the heist structure to a school-exams setting, and features themes of class inequality as well as teenage social issues. Relative newcomers Chanon Santinatornkul, Teeradon Supapunpinyo and Eisaya Hosuwan play Lynn's classmates Bank, Pat and Grace, while veteran Thai singer and actor Thaneth Warakulnukroh plays Lynn's father. Filming took place on location in Thailand and Australia. Bad Genius was released in Thailand on 3 May 2017, placing first at the Thai box office for two weeks and earning over 100 million baht (US$3 million), the highest-grossing Thai film of 2017. Overseas, it broke Thai film earning records in several Asian countries, including China, where it grossed over $30 million, making it the most internationally successful Thai film ever. Critics praised the film's performances (especially Chutimon's), direction, and screenplay, though some criticized its ending. Among its awards and nominations, the film won a record-breaking twelve awards at the 27th Suphannahong National Film Awards, including Best Picture.