“Camp is tough: there’s the lack of sleep, endless games, mystery meat, twelve thousand questions middle schoolers somehow ask before breakfast, and camp songs that get stuck in your head forever.”
One thing I can say about Bad Counselors is that there were a lot of recognizable faces in it. Chris Klein returned to his comedy roots in this film that could potentially be a distant, more wholesome cousin to America Pie. Richard T. Jones of The Rookie fame, along with Stargirl’s Brec Bassinger and Missi Pyle, all star in this faith-based comedy that was surprisingly more entertaining that I initially expected it to be. I’d anticipated a vapid B-movie that would be more cliché than substance, but as it turned out, the film actually had more than one moment of substance. Despite the premise of the frat-boy antics, the story focused more on character identity and growth. The film avoids being overly “cheesy” by leaning into intentional, self-aware comedy, mostly against cringy evangelical tropes. And while the Christian elements are primarily used for narrative quips rather than deep theological teaching, the underlying themes of repentance, second chances, and authentic human connection are very much showcased.
“To a night we’ll never forget. And a night we won’t remember.”
You know, it was quite ironic to make a toast like this and have it lead to a wild night that results in 120 hours of community service. Even more ironic to concoct a plan to accomplish the task in an expedited manner, only for you to find something that you didn’t know was missing. The 2026 faith-based comedy centers around Grayson (Matt Cornett) and Tyler (Ramon Reed), two hard-partying fraternity brothers who find themselves in deep trouble after a wild night ended in handcuffs and an ultimatum: complete 120 hours of community service in just two weeks or face expulsion from college. Desperate to avoid expulsion, the duo devise a chaotic plan to pose as counselors at Camp Burning Bush, a local Christian youth camp, where they can fast-track their required hours.
However, there are a few glaring impediments to their “genius” plan: they dislike camping, they have zero experience with kids, and neither of them is actually religious. To pull off the ruse, the pair must quickly master “Christianese” lingo, fake a faith they don’t possess, and hide their party habits while dodging suspicious pastors, mischievous campers, and observant coed counselors. As their house of half-truths threatens to collapse, the experience begins to unexpectedly challenge their values, forcing them to confront what it actually means to look out for others.
Angel Studios has been making quite a name for themselves in recent years. The independent production company has become prominent for bypassing traditional Hollywood path by producing and distributing value-driven, faith-based, and family-friendly entertainment. In the last year alone, the studio has released at least six films, each with notable names starring such as J.K. Simmons, Jeff Daniels, Kevin James, Alan Ritchson, and Owen Wilson. Having seen the lion’s share of the films, I can attest to their story quality, with many of them being character journeys. And as it seems, Bad Counselors is no different.
Let’s start with Matt Cornett, who played Grayson Fuller. As Grayson, he is charismatic, confident, and deeply reliant on his charm to skate through life’s responsibilities and often leaned heavily on Tyler to bail him out of tight spots, namely academics or future career prospects. Of the pair, he is the more resistant when they first arrive at the Christian youth camp, viewing the entire situation purely as a transactional chore—a baseline requirement to dodge expulsion so he can get back to his normal life. However, his time at the camp peeled back his protective layer of apathy and bravado. As he is forced to take responsibility for his campers, Grayson’s cynicism slowly erodes, forcing him to learn the value of genuine honesty and selflessness.
Then there is Ramon Reed as Tyler Newman, the quote unquote brains of the operation. He is the more impressionable and open-minded of the two. And while he was initially faking a faith he didn’t have, he was the first to actually listen to the camp’s messaging and connect with the community. Through the chaotic activities—which at one point even involve dressing up as a pirate—Tyler undergoes a meaningful transformation. He begins to rediscover his own identity and voice, while learning to make positive, independent choices for his life rather than just following the crowd.
Ultimately, Bad Counselors succeeded because it balanced its fast-paced humor with genuine, warmhearted values that felt very authentic rather than overly preachy. Matt Cornett’s and Ramon Reed’s chemistry and dynamic coupled this fish-out-of-water comedy with themes of accountability, friendship, and unexpected personal growth for both characters.
