The rise of social media has become fertile ground for horror-thrillers, yet many films in this vein end up as superficial warnings about the dangers of seeking attention and chasing “likes.” "Influencer" manages to avoid that pitfall; it's a clever and original movie set within the world of TikTok and Instagram. Director and co-writer Kurtis David Harder embraces influencer culture, drawing inspiration from films like “Single White Female” and “Sissy,” and delivering enough psychological suspense to keep viewers captivated. Madison (Emily Tennant) is an online personality who had planned a luxurious trip to Thailand with her boyfriend Ryan (Rory J Saper), but he canceled at the last minute. Determined to salvage her vacation, she travels alone and creates videos for her followers, projecting an image of enjoyment despite feeling otherwise. While at the hotel bar one night, she meets CW (Cassandra Naud), a confident and knowledgeable traveler who offers to guide Madison to the most photogenic spots in the country. They quickly become friends, connecting over food, drinks, and their shared love for adventure. Things appear to be improving for Madison until CW invites her on an impromptu overnight camping trip to a remote island with no internet access. The story subverts expectations by portraying a woman as the potential threat rather than the typical scenario of a man endangering a lone female traveler. Initially, there’s little cause for concern regarding Madison's safety because CW seems friendly and approachable. However, when you start to suspect her intentions, it may already be too late. The script, co-written by Harder and Tesh Guttikonda, is intelligent without being overly complicated, and the story takes unexpected turns alongside more familiar ones. While the basic concept might feel somewhat recognizable, the narrative includes enough organic surprises to maintain your interest and keep you guessing. The film’s success stems largely from its believability and the strong performances of the cast. Naud is unsettling as a manipulative psychopath, while Tennant and Sara Canning are convincingly portrayed as social media stars. Harder demonstrates his skill as a director, handling the material with expertise and understanding the visual language of thrillers. Some of "Influencer’s" most compelling aspects are those that defy anticipation, so I've made an effort to avoid revealing too much in this review. The film provides a disturbing look at our insecurities and self-importance when it comes to our online personas, but also delivers a genuinely entertaining horror-thriller experience.

Source on TMDB