Bad Genius (2024) is an American remake of the acclaimed 2017 Thai film, directed by J.C. Lee. The narrative centers on Lynn Kang, portrayed by Callina Liang, a brilliant scholarship student at the prestigious Exton Pacific School in Seattle. Coming from a modest background, Lynn becomes friends with Grace (Taylor Hickson), a well-meaning but academically struggling student. Initially helping Grace with exam answers out of sympathy, Lynn soon finds herself orchestrating a sophisticated cheating operation. Utilizing her intelligence, she devises a system of coded finger signals based on piano chords to transmit answers during exams. This scheme expands rapidly as more affluent students, including Grace’s boyfriend Pat (Samuel Braun), offer substantial payments for her assistance.

As the operation grows, Lynn partners with Bank (Jabari Banks), another academically gifted student from a disadvantaged background. Together, they aim to conquer the SAT, considered the most secure test globally, by traveling to Australia to obtain the answers ahead of time. The film evolves into a high-stakes thriller, exploring themes of systemic inequality, the pressures of academic excellence, and moral ambiguity. Lynn’s journey reflects the intense societal and economic pressures faced by students, leading them to rationalize unethical decisions. The film’s tension-filled sequences and ethical dilemmas offer a compelling critique of the competitive education system.