Sommerleigh Pollonais, Horror Head Writer
Plot: While struggling on a solo backpacking trip in Thailand, social media influencer Madison meets CW, who travels with ease and shows her a more uninhibited way of living. But CW’s interest in her takes a darker turn.
Review: Recently (or maybe more like the past decade, which is recent enough in terms of horror) there’s been a rising number of movies that explore the dangers of social media. Specifically, horror stories that shine a light on influencers and the possible dangers of putting yourself on the internet for the world (and the crazies that inhabit it) to see.
Whether it’s satirical (Bodies, Bodies, Bodies), supernatural (Deadstream), psychological (CAM), or slasher (Tragedy Girls) the rise of social media culture makes it ripe for horror exploration. And with Influencer the horror might just be the realist the genre has touched on so far.
The story starts by following Madison (Emily Tennant of Open 24 Hours, Mr. Young) a young woman who has made it big due to her Instagram travel vlog. She travels the world, stays in lavish houses, eats the best cuisine, and films it all with a big smile as she sells the dream to her followers. But Madison is anything but happy as her boyfriend/manager cancels on her and she’s left alone in Thailand. Enter CW (Cassandra Naud of Snowpiercer, Loudermilk) who is also American, young and on her own. CW saves Madison from the unwanted attention of a drunk at the bar and soon the two are hitting up all the spots unknown to any but the locals as they quickly become good friends. Or maybe CW has something much darker in mind for Madison who coincidentally has her room broken into, her money and passport stolen and is forced to spend even more time with her newfound “friend”.
Influencer is the type of thriller I’m drawn to, the type that makes you think you know where things are going, only to change it up on you when you least expect it. From the moment we’re introduced to CW you know things aren’t going to end well between these two, but the entire first act plays out almost like a pre-credit scene with the eponymous title showing up only after we see what Naud’s character has in store for poor Madison. Cassandra Naud’s quiet yet unhinged performance does a lot to keep you invested, which is not to say everyone involved didn’t bring their A-game. And while the movie does play more like a thriller, the horrific moments, especially the implied ones, does get under your skin making for a very effective and engaging time.
What truly makes all this disturbing though is how grounded and realistic the story itself feels. In an age when so many people put their lives online and even making a living do so, it’s not hard to believe the CW’s of the world (that would be the antagonist, not the television network) can and sometimes do take their dislike of social media influencers too far. And even those of us who aren’t in the industry might find it scary when you stop and think of how much of your life is online for anyone to see and follow.
Horror has never been shy about exploring society’s extremes and Influencer with its solid cast, beautiful cinematography and well executed premise is a strong addition to what I can already see becoming its very own sub-genre of horror.
Sommer’s Score: 7 out of 10
Sommerleigh of the House Pollonais. First of Her Name. Sushi Lover, Queen of Horror Movies, Comic Books and Binge Watching Netflix. Mother of two beautiful black cats named Vader and Kylo. I think eating Popcorn at the movies should be mandatory, PS4 makes the best games ever, and I’ll be talking about movies until the zombie apocalypse comes.
Double Tap Baby!