Influencers (2025)
 |
| Influencers (2025) |
Influencers, released on Shudder in December 2025, is the direct sequel to the 2022 sleeper hit Influencer. Directed again by Kurtis David Harder, this follow-up expands the scope of the original, moving from the isolated beaches of Thailand to the sun-drenched landscapes of Southern France and Bali. It continues the dark, satirical exploration of social media fame but leans heavier into black comedy and chaotic violence.
The Story
The film picks up with the enigmatic killer CW (Cassandra Naud) living a quiet life in France under a stolen identity with her girlfriend Diane (Lisa Delamar), who is unaware of her dark past. Their peaceful existence is disrupted when they cross paths with Charlotte (Georgina Campbell), an intrusive British influencer whose obsession with "content" pushes CW back into her murderous habits. Meanwhile, Madison (Emily Tennant), the survivor from the first film, is on a mission of revenge. Having been cleared of crimes but still haunted by the trauma (and public skepticism), she tracks CW across the globe. The narrative evolves into a cat-and-mouse game involving a new pair of targets: Jacob (Jonathan Whitesell) and Ariana (Veronica Long), a toxic right-wing influencer couple in Bali.
What’s Good
As CW, Naud remains the franchise's strongest asset. Her performance is chilling yet strangely charismatic. She effectively portrays a chameleon who hates the very people she mimics, adding layers of complexity to a character that could easily be a one-note villain. The movie sharply critiques the "content at all costs" mentality. Scenes where characters ignore beautiful scenery to livestream, or where a murder is livestreamed to an audience that thinks it's a hoax, are dark, cynical, and timely. Unlike the contained setting of the first film, this one globe-trots, making the production feel bigger and more vibrant. The shift from France to Bali keeps the visuals fresh.
What’s Not So Good
The movie juggles multiple perspectives CW, Madison, and the new influencers which can make the plot feel scattered. Madison, despite being the "hero" survivor, sometimes feels sidelined in favor of the villain's exploits. While the first film was a tense psychological thriller, the sequel leans more into "slapstick bloodshed" and dark humor. Fans of the original's slow-burn tension might find this one a bit too chaotic or "campy." Almost everyone, except perhaps the unknowing girlfriend Diane, is deeply flawed or annoying. While this is the point of the satire, it can be exhausting to spend 90 minutes with characters designed to be insufferable.
Is it Worth Watching?
Yes, especially if you liked the first one. It’s a "bigger, badder, and bitchier" sequel that delivers on the promise of its predecessor while carving out its own identity. It’s a perfect watch for the social media age, just maybe don’t livestream your reaction.
Rating: 3.8 out of 5 stars
Best for: Fans of Ingrid Goes West or Black Mirror who want more bloodshed.
%20(1).png)
0 Comments