“Bad Influence” is an intelligent and suspenseful psychological thriller directed by Curtis Hanson (“Bedroom Window” and “The Arousers”).

The film stars James Spader (“sex,lies and videotape” and “Jack’s Back”). Spader has slowly built a reputation playing challenging and offbeat roles. His work in “Bad Influence”is competent and completely convincing.

He plays Michael Ball, a hardworking and submissive businessman who has a habit of letting people walk all over him.

At first his character comes off as a Kafkaesque anti-hero. He is henpecked by his fiancee and he allows himself to be pushed around by one of his co-workers. The co-worker erases one of his computer files and Ball attempts to drown his sorrows with alcohol at a local bar.

Ball buys a drink for a girl and almost gets into a brawl with her boyfriend. He is saved by a stranger named Alex who threatens the bully with a broken beer bottle. The two men quickly become close friends.

Rob Lowe is surprisingly good playing Alex, a charming but unpredictable mystery man. Lowe manages to radiate danger in every scene that he’s in and he seems like a man who would do anything.

Alex is a master at manipulating people around him. He uses fake identities and accents to suit his purposes. Alex takes Michael under his wing and helps him gain self-respect.

At first their escapades are harmless, but they become increasingly more sinister. It soon becomes apparent that Alex is deranged, and the two friends become deadly adversaries.

The two men have a very unusual relationship that is comparable to the literary relationship between Dr. Faustus and Satan.

The devilish Alex helps Michael achieve his desires, but he also corrupts him in the process.

The film seems to make the same essential point as “The Monkey’s Paw.” It argues that sometimes the worst thing that can happen to you is to receive what you desire the most.

“Bad Influence” is a success because of the strong characterizations and its ability to consistently deliver shocks.

Unfortunately, the film becomes slightly more routine in the last half. It degenerates into an undistinguished duel between the two main characters. Despite this, the film is compelling and extremely worthwhile.