Influencer — Review
Synopsis: While struggling on a solo backpacking trip in Thailand, social media influencer Madison meets CW, who travels with ease and shows her a more uninhibited way of living, but CW’s interest in her takes a darker turn.
Key Credits
Editing: Rob Grant, Kurtis David Harder
Music: Avery Kentis
Cast: Cassandra Naud, Emily Tennant, Sara Canning, Rory J. Saper, Paul Spurrier, Justin Sams
Director: Kurtis David Harder
Writers: Kurtis David Harder, Tesh Guttikonda
Cinematography: David Schuurman
Review
I wonder if director and co-writer Kurtis David Harder knew the meta-reaction the title of his film Influencer would have. Admittedly, the title had me expecting a straightforward story about an influencer getting into trouble in Thailand for chasing content—the usual “touch grass” moral. However, much like you shouldn’t judge a film by its title, you shouldn’t always judge someone by how they look or act either.
Madison (Emily Tennant) is in Thailand alone after her boyfriend Ryan (Rory J. Saper) bails. She’s performing the influencer lifestyle—poolside product shots, big smiles—only to slump into boredom the moment the post goes live. She talks about loving travel and meeting new people while barely leaving the hotel. That changes when she meets CW (Cassandra Naud), who sweeps her into the real Thailand she’s been pretending to experience.
There’s something off about CW from her first scene, and if your “run, girl” instincts flare up, you’re on the right track. About 30 minutes in, the opening credits finally roll and the title card hits—then the film swerves into a darker, tech-savvy thriller with just the right amount of sick, meticulous planning.
Cassandra Naud is captivating—an anti-social-media cipher who fears photos yet moves through the world with the loosest, most dangerous kind of freedom. As a first major role, it’s a true breakout performance.
Harder and Tesh Guttikonda craft a script that consistently subverts expectations. At a tight 90 minutes, Influencer wobbles slightly in the middle, but it kept me guessing and surprised by its turns. With a largely female cast and a villain motivation that smartly avoids “lover scorned,” this is a must-watch for horror fans.
Influencer is available to stream on Shudder from 26/05.
