Influencer is a horror film. You know this as a result of it’s the most recent from Kurtis David Harder, whose credit embody being a producer on V/H/S/94, and since you’ll discover it streaming on Shudder. Also, its opening shot reveals an remoted tropical island with a face-down physique on the seashore. So you’ve a way of what you’re moving into. But Influencer can also be a type of films that rewards entering into as unaware as potential.
So concern not: no plot spoilers right here. After that eerie intro, we meet Madison (Emily Tennant, Dirk Gently’s Holistic Detective Agency), who’s vacationing alone at an expensive resort in Thailand. She’s placing on a bubbly present of selfies underscored with inspirational knowledge for her Instagram followers, however secretly she’s cursing her boyfriend, Ryan (Rory J. Saper), for ditching the journey last-minute. When the mysterious CW (Cassandra Naud, See) swoops in to rescue Madison from a sloshed fellow visitor on the lodge bar, Madison is thrilled to fulfill a pal round her age who’s an skilled traveler and is aware of all of the rad native spots—and never simply due to the social-media content material alternatives. Truth is, Madison has been bored and lonely, and has began to second-guess her profession path in addition to her relationship.
Just if you assume the place Influencer goes, it pulls a switcheroo, enjoying into tropes (sure, there’s a “no cell service” second) whereas additionally setting you on edge if you notice you haven’t any concept what’s going to occur subsequent. Even the opening credit, which seem shockingly late into act one, will take you unexpectedly. Like the film itself, lots of the performances in Influencer layer shocking depth beneath intentionally superficial first impressions. But better of all is how the film blends its very 2023 themes about social media (together with the warped sense of self that being too on-line can create—and the insidious methods know-how can be utilized to form perceptions of actuality) right into a nail-biting trip horror flick. It received’t make you wish to keep away from new experiences, nevertheless it actually would possibly make you consider leaving your telephone turned off.
Influencer arrives May 26 on Shudder.
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