Influencer

Note this review contains some discussions that could perceived spoilers.

The influencer has encroached into almost aspects of life now. Some positive in that it has provided some a means to earn a living themselves and taking control. The downside is sometimes that control isn’t quite as clear cut as it seems.

So it is with Madison (Emily Tennant) who has carved out a relatively successful online presence. In Thailand she’s waiting for her boyfriend who helped her set up. Ryan (Rory J. Saper) however has bailed. Then Madison is robbed and forced to stay longer than she wanted in the country.

Having earlier made the acquaintance of CW (Cassandra Naud), who offers her a place to stay, Madison decides to make the best of the time she has going out on scooters, chatting up lads and generally having a good time. This includes a trip to a paradise island after which the opening credits appear.

Directed by Kurtis David Harder, co-written with Tesh Guttikonda, Influencer, to a seasoned watcher, is a touch predictable plot wise, coasting on the good and evil of social media, in particular the influencer. Which has been a live area in the horror genre over the past few years, though with different approaches.

Here Madison is looking to make the best of what she has to earn a living through endorsements, which she then passes on to her followers. This is a departure from what has been more common lately with the brutal satirising the idiot self-promoters in films such as Deadstream or Chadgetstheaxe. Arguably this film is more disturbing touching on ID theft and fraud; current issues that cause horrendous problems for the victims and are genuinely traumatic.

However Influencer will probably succeed on the strength of the acting and characters, rather than plot with the diabolically, cunning and psychopathic CW, evilly played by Naud standing out. It’s a performance that could see the viewer rooting for her rather than ultra-creepy dimwit Ryan, sleepily played by Saper.

Overall, as well written as it is, there’s not a lot of subtlety about the film though it does look very good and Harder has made very excellent use of the exotic locations and luxury areas.

Influencer will be exclusively on Shudder from 26 May 2023