Bad Counselors (2026) – Review and Summary

Bad Counselors balances well the expectations of a Christian comedy with what you’d think would happen as two party-loving frat boys become counselors at a Christian camp.

ByAmari Allah Hours Posted on

Spoiler Alert: This summary and review contains spoilers.

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“Bad Counselors” Film Details

  • Director(s): Chris Dowling
  • Writer(s): Taylor Grabowsky, Ryan Gunnarson, Dexter Masland
  • Runtime: 1 Hour(s) and 40 Minutes
  • Public Release Date (In Theaters): July 22, 2026
  • Genre(s): Comedy, Young Adult
  • Content Rating: Rated PG-13
  • Primary Language: English
  • Images © of / Courtesy Of Fathom Events

Movie Summary

Grayson is a senior at Emerson University, has a job lined up in New York, and just needs to get through the semester. Unfortunately, however, his fraternity, Beta Alpha Delta (BAD), is very much a party frat, is on probation for past parties, and with his best friend Tyler, he takes things too far.

This leads to the ultimatum of either doing over 100+ hours of community service or facing expulsion, and Tyler comes up with the idea of volunteering for a church they stumbled on while looking for counselors. Note: neither boy considers himself notably Christian, but they are desperate, and it seems Pastor Tom is willing to give them a chance he might regret.

Cast and Characters

Grayson (Matt Cornett)

  • Character Summary: As one of the leading brothers of B.A.D., Grayson is respected and well-liked. However, his character is also notably crafted, and those who pay close attention can see beyond the cracks of the wall he calls, or thinks is, charm.

Tyler (Ramon Reed)

  • Character Summary: Tyler is Grayson’s brother at his frat, roommate, and someone he sees himself as taking under his wing. In fact, Grayson is key to Tyler reinventing himself into this fun guy but it does seem he wants to be more than a good time.

Patrick (Brayden Gleave)

  • Character Summary: Patrick is a young man looking for connection, and while his church community accepts and values him, generally, he hasn’t seemingly made any friends his own age.

Shadow (Dominic Lopez)

  • Character Summary: Shadow is a bit of an outlier within the church community. He dresses all black, is a bit aloof, and really doesn’t seem interested in engaging with anyone. However, it could just be the Patricks, Dallases, and Beckys of the group he doesn’t want to engage with.

Pastor Tom (Chris Klein)

  • Character Summary: Pastor Tom is the head of the Redemption church.

Dallas (Nathan Gamble)

  • Character Summary: Dallas is one of the youth pastors at the Redemption church and also is someone who takes note of Grayson and Tyler more than others.

Becky (McKaley Miller)

  • Character Summary: Becky is one of the senior counselors for the spring break overnight camp who takes a liking to Tyler.

Review and Commentary

Highlight(s)

Grayson and Tyler’s Relationships With Their Mentees [83/100]

Patrick is a young man assigned to Grayson when he becomes a camp counselor, and Shadow is assigned to Tyler. Both kids are notable, in very different ways. Patrick is a ball of energy, excited about camp, and latches onto Grayson like he is the big brother he always wanted. Shadow? He is a bit more distant, but Tyler wins him over quickly. However, Tyler is more of an exception than a turning point for Shadow, who seems like he was forced to go by his never-seen parents.

At first, you may think these two relationships would be about creating comedic moments as Grayson and Tyler attempt to present themselves as Christians to get their community service hours in. However, things go in the opposite direction. They form bonds with these boys, and for Patrick, in particular, Grayson truly becomes that big brother figure the kid needed. Be it to instill confidence, keep him from feeling weird or like a loser, and I’d dare say, the relationship could get you emotional.

Which isn’t to say Tyler and Shadow don’t do the same. But I think with Tyler and Shadow, it is less of a big brother/ little brother scenario and more of the two seeing each other and respecting one another. For Tyler already has a big brother figure in Grayson, and doesn’t try to give that to Shadow. Instead, he respects how Shadow knows himself well enough, and thus he treats him like someone he can have a mature conversation with. That is the foundation of their bond.

Leading to Tyler having moments when he realizes this persona he has built up maybe isn’t as foolproof as he thinks.

Tyler’s Journey [81/100]

Tyler notes that his family was a “We go to church on holidays” type. This makes for his initial interactions with the church’s leadership comical, but then you see Tyler actually take note and feel something from being at a church camp. Note: Tyler doesn’t suddenly go from wanting to drink and party to seeking baptism. However, you are reminded that there are different ways people express faith and are members of the faith.

Some are like Dallas, who find a sense of belonging through church, follow the word, and that is everything to them. Then there are those like Tyler who may not lead with their faith or be an active member of a church, but it doesn’t mean they don’t consider themselves Christian. It is just that, of what defines them, what they actively invest in, they don’t feel a strong need to lead with that. But when in environments which remind them of why they still claim a faith, it’s like returning home.

Thus giving us a character who can feel like the norm.

Despite Being Faith-Based, It Doesn’t Feel Niche [82/100]

Bad Counselors walks the line between a movie about a church camp and two party bros tricking a pastor to get community service hours. There isn’t any cursing, but there is some drinking. There is light innuendo, but the most scandalous thing about the film might be that some have shorts above the mid-thigh.

Leading to Bad Counselors seemingly trying to find the root of what is usually funny in raunchy comedies. It wants to focus on wordplay, characters who say adorably dumb or ignorant things, and scenarios that may not get a hearty laugh, but at least a chuckle.

But, best of all, Bad Counselors isn’t a faith movie in terms of people preaching what God has done for them, and every other sentence being about Jesus. It wants to show the community side of church, establish that faith can be a strong part or influence on someone’s life, but not be the beginning and end of their persona or personality. Also, through Pastor Tom, there is a push not to make people, even if they lead a church, perfect.

Altogether, I think Bad Counselor knows that presenting faith as a core bit to a film, outside a horror movie, can be isolating. So it actively sought a sweet spot to respect those who are Christians, poke fun at some stereotypes, deliver enough of a message to satisfy its home base, but still be general enough for those who aren’t just looking for a safe Christian comedy but a decent comedy – period.

On The Fence

Dallas & Becky [74/100]

The issues we have with Dallas and Becky are part of a bigger issue with the film in terms of it teasing something of depth with many characters, but either not going as far as you may want or avoiding the subject. This feeling all roots from a moment in the film where everyone is asked to toss a negative thought or feeling about themselves into a fire, and when Dallas is shown, it instantly gives him layers as a character.

It explains how he sees himself, including within the church, and that is despite the titles and roles he plays. But, rather than explore this further, the movie simplifies him into an obstacle for Tyler and Grayson. In doing so, it can feel like, almost in an instant, they reduce how complicated he is and make him a simple antagonist.  

Then with Becky, she is a high-energy character who instantly falls in love with Tyler, for reasons that are purely based on faith. But, like Dallas, she is a character who the film could have done more with. Note: She isn’t the villain, just an odd woman with a crush. But like Dallas, that fire pit scene was notable for her – but we don’t get to see her negative thoughts or insecurity.

To me, that was a HUGE missed opportunity, for it left Becky feeling one note. Like a weird, silly woman, infatuated with a man who actively dodges being near her and is lowkey freaked out by her. Yet, considering what Patrick, Shadow, and others write, it is easy to imagine Becky writing something which could explain why she acts how she does. Leaving you to wonder if maybe a lot of what makes her unique was cut.

Overall

Our Rating (80/100): Positive (Worth Seeing)

Bad Counselors is comical, touching in some moments, and is an overall good time. It balances the expectations about a movie in which faith is prominent with the type of humor which will neither alienate the audience naturally drawn to Christian comedies, or those who find the idea of frat boys being Christian camp counselors funny.

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Amari is the founder and head writer of Wherever-I-Look.com and has been reviewing media since 2010. He approaches each production with hope, rooting for every story to succeed, and believes criticism should come from unmet potential, while praise is reserved for work that meets or exceeds expectations.