Running Time: 110 Minutes
Starring: Cassandra Naud, Lisa Delamar, Georgina Campbell, Emily Tennant, Jonathan Whitesell
2022's Influencer was an example of not judging a book by its cover, as the title and premise made it seem like another disposable straight-to-streaming feature. Luckily, writer/director Kurtis David Harder delivered a surprise hit that was a pleasant surprise with how engaging and entertaining it was. The film seemed to end in a definitive way, as Madison (Emily Tennant) escaped from a deserted island on the only boat, leaving her captor, CW (Cassandra Naud), with no means of escape. However, it seems that Harder is not done with his enigmatic figure, as CW returns in Influencers.
In an attention grabbing way to open the film, an unknown woman is seen with a distraught look on her face while her someone constantly rings her phone. The scene ends with her committing suicide in graphic fashion, while the phone still rings. What events led to this gruesome end? Who is the person that desperately wished to get hold of her? These questions will be answered as the film goes on.
Viewers are then reintroduced to CW, who is living a much more charmed life than when we last saw her. Now in the south of France, she has found love with Diane (Lisa Delamar) and appears to have turned over a new leaf while retaining her avoidance for the truth. While there appears to be a new side to CW, is her old self still lurking within? That question lingers as the pair take a trip to celebrate their first anniversary, where the couple are bumped to a smaller room due to entitled influencer, Charlotte (Georgina Campbell).
Will CW fall into her old ways, at the risk of her relationship? That is the question Harder plays with, teasing the character's inner war between falling into her old habits and retaining this new life that she has built. Admittedly, she has not left her old ways entirely behind, as she takes on a new identity in Diane's presence. Yet, there are things that she does differently, such as allowing her photo to be taken. There is a genuine attempt at escaping her murderous lifestyle, but the past will not let her live in peace as it shows a clear resolution to potential problems.
At heart, this young woman who mysterious escaped an island (a resolution that Harder playfully teases) is constantly playing a game, with the intent of coming out on top. For anybody who tries getting in her way, a reckoning will come, even if the lengths she takes to plan everything can be far-fetched. This is particularly truthful of the opening, which is a terrific visual in isolation, but in the context of the film, is a needlessly complicated plan. Also in the mix is Jacob (Jonathan Whitesell), a Bali resident whose online persona appeals to incel groups. Despite not believing in the harmful stuff that he says, he is told to push it further by his conservative girlfriend, as engagement through enraged reactions sells.
A thrilling cat and mouse game occurs, as CW tries to stay on-top of the situation and remain the hunter instead of the hunted. The story also looks at the way people are put under the microscope, with their every move examined courtesy of people online trying to make a name for themselves by playing amateur detectives. Add to that a thread about the fake personas we put on for those who only know our online presence, including a sprinkling of focus on right-wing grifters, and you have an interesting mix aimed at online culture.
These various elements at play can admittedly leave the film feeling packed, even as the runtime lasts almost two-hours. One wishes that aspects could have been streamlined, although it cannot be denied what a fun time this is to watch. Harder steps up his game from the previous instalment, with a slickly crafted fight scene that has been long brewing across the film. Add to that two of the most consistent aspects, a great sense of humour, and tremendous performances which effectively bring alive these characters. Prepare to like and subscribe to Influencers,a solid follow-up worth your time that will leave you happily anticipating a third film.
Influencers made its World Premiere at Fantasia Festival 2025
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