Kat’s rating: The classic blonde vs. brunette trope in thriller form!

Kat’s review: Now, before we get started I must confess my greatest shame: I absolutely adore social media horror movies.

There’s something about blending modern technology, obnoxious personalities, and murder that just makes for a deliciously cringe-inducing movie. Influencer is the perfect example as it follows bubbly social media star Madison (Emily Tennant) on a solo trip to Thailand. With nobody to hang out with, she ends up latching onto the experienced traveler CW (Cassandra Naud), and what ensues is a mix of a classic stalker film and a cautionary tale about the dangers of social media. So, let’s slap on some sunscreen and explore the stunning landscape of Thailand through our cellphones!

Okay, let’s talk about the first annoying thing in Influencer — Madison’s boyfriend ditching her for the trip. Who the hell does that? Pretty sure you would be replacing that man with a best friend or family member immediately. Planning a trip like that takes so much effort, and if you’ve already booked activities and dinners for two, it’s a major hassle to rearrange everything. The boyfriend has a bit of a redemption arc down the line but honestly, none of these characters are very likable.

Speaking of unlikable characters, let me introduce you to our resident bad girl, CW. I’m not quite sure what her deal is. Does she have a grudge against women? Is it just influencers she can’t stand? Well never fear, his movie doesn’t bother to explain a shred of motive. CW is one of those people who thinks she’s the smartest and toughest person in the room. Her blind arrogance drives every situation in this film. We don’t get much background on her character, but I guess it’s safe to say she’s been getting away with all sorts of nonsense for a while. Poor Madison falls for CW’s charm and her knowledge of the coolest spots in Thailand, but it leads her straight to a secluded island with CW whispering creepy threats around a crackling fire.

One thing I do appreciate about Influencer is how it showcases the stunning beauty of Thailand. Usually, movies only show the sketchy or grimy side of the country, but not this one. Influencer takes us on an adventure through breathtaking hiking trails, fancy resorts, and jaw-dropping real estate. The film does a good job of keeping you entertained with images of sandy beaches and lush mountains. This is helpful since a big chunk of the movie is tagging along with CW as she Single White Females Madison through Instagram selfies.

CW gets bored with pretending to be Madison pretty quickly. This leads her to troll the internet for her next victim and sets her eyes on Jessica. Now, unlike Madison, Jessica is a little older and much wiser. She doesn’t fall for CW’s trickier off the bat until she switches it up and pretends to be a lonely fangirl. Right when she has Jessica right where she wants her, Madison’s (not so flaky now) boyfriend turns up! Ryan, the boyfriend, swoops in and almost gives up on the hunt for Madison. Honestly, the dedication and determination the man held out for his girlfriend were pretty spectacular. You assume he’s the horrible dude for most of the movie and then BAM! Best Boyfriend Award over here.

Influencer wraps up in a fairly predictable but ultimately satisfying way. It’s one of those films where you really wish you could see the aftermath of everything that happened. If I was psychic, I’d say she gains a cool couple million followers and it’ll all be worth it for her in the end. So, if you’re a fan of thrillers with some violent vindictive murder then go check out Influencer!

Intermission!

• Did you catch Madison revealing she used to be a Girl Scout? That might explain that ending…
• During the campfire scene, Madison says “She’d probably think you brought me out here to kill me, out here all alone.” So we absolutely know that Madison has recognized that going off with a stranger is dangerous. TRUST YOUR GUT PEOPLE!
• Whoever put together the music for this film deserves a raise. I think I Shazamed about four songs. When Madison wakes up on the island, Bullitt by Elephanz is playing. There I saved you a Shazam.
• CW is bold as hell running around committing multiple crimes while having a large identifying birthmark like that. She is EXTREMELY identifiable.