Influencers Avoids a Common Horror Sequel Trap (Review)

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Shudder’s 2023 film Influencer was a big success, gaining popularity through strong recommendations. Viewers appreciated its intriguing premise and the skillful direction of Kurtis David Harder. The movie explored the self-absorption common in influencer culture without being overly judgmental. Compelling twists, beautiful imagery, and a standout performance by Cassandra Naud as the killer CW helped solidify it as one of Shudder’s best original films. Now, Harder returns with Influencers, a sequel that cleverly subverts typical horror sequel expectations and dives into a fresh wave of social media-fueled mayhem.

One of the best things about the series Influencers, just like the first installment, is how it constantly surprises you and takes the story in unexpected directions. Because of this, it’s best to go into Influencers knowing as little as possible about the plot. The first story ended with CW stranded on a deserted island after Madison stole her boat, surprisingly surviving thanks to her Girl Scout training. Influencers doesn’t pick up there, though. Instead, it starts a new story with CW, now going by Catherine, who is happily in a relationship with Diane, a French woman they share a home with in Paris. Their first anniversary trip is quickly disrupted when they encounter Instagram star Charlotte.

Rating: 4/5

PROS CONS
Cassandra Naud’s outstanding performance as CW Pacing issues, especially in the mid-section, due to constant resets and a more complex structure
Creative plotting and twists that keep the audience guessing Longer-than-needed runtime that slows momentum
Strong direction from Kurtis David Harder
Interesting thematic exploration of influencer culture and social media dangers
Maintains the franchise’s provocative tone without becoming preachy

In the first film, CW is portrayed as a primal hunter, freely moving through the beautiful landscapes of Thailand as she seeks her prey. However, the new film completely alters her character by showing a more controlled, domesticated side. The enigma surrounding CW’s dangerous fascination with social media stars, combined with her unknown history, is a key element of what makes the story so captivating. Thankfully, the filmmakers avoid the common horror mistake of revealing too much about the villain’s backstory. Instead, they skillfully reveal new aspects of CW’s personality while still keeping her a mysterious figure.

Influencers Works, Above Everything Else, Thanks to Cassandra Naud

The acting in Influencers is generally strong, with committed performances from both the leads and supporting cast. However, Cassandra Naud as CW truly steals the show. She’s brilliant, effortlessly shifting her on-screen persona to suit her character’s manipulative needs. As the story unfolds and CW faces new obstacles, she expertly uses technology – photo editing, deepfakes, voice changers, and even AI – to convincingly create a false reality and achieve her sinister goals. Watching her operate is captivating, but it’s also unsettling to realize how easily our online lives could be exploited, making us all vulnerable.

The new sequel, like the first film, doesn’t preach a specific message. Instead, it uses the story of its main character, CW, to reveal the problems and risks of social media. While many of those targeted by CW are unlikeable, the sequel also takes a critical look at the growing ‘red pill’ movement. Despite this, CW remains a compelling villain – it’s enjoyable to watch her pursue and eliminate her targets. The director skillfully avoids giving CW a simple reason for her actions, preventing her from being either easily justified or completely beyond redemption. This moral grayness is key to the franchise’s appeal, allowing viewers to root for CW’s success while also feeling sympathy for some of her victims. The director clearly understood the task at hand, and the film continues to be thought-provoking in a way that very few movies are.

Influencers Pacing Issues Rob Some of Its Shine

The original movie, Influencer, built its story around key events that revealed new parts of the mystery and moved the plot forward, ultimately leading to a satisfying conclusion. The sequel, Influencers, tries to follow the same pattern, but doesn’t quite work as well. It introduces too many different storylines and constantly interrupts the momentum with new developments. This, combined with the movie being a bit too long, prevents it from maintaining the fast-paced, engaging feel of the first film.

While these issues don’t completely derail the movie, they do slow it down, particularly in the middle section. Interestingly, this is the first time director Harder wrote the script alone, usually collaborating with Tesh Guttikonda. This makes us question whether the uneven pacing is simply due to the scope of this sequel, or if having another writer would have helped.

Even though the script occasionally falters, the director more than makes up for it with their masterful direction. The film expertly shifts between sweeping shots of locations – effectively turning them into characters – and close-ups on the people caught in a tangled story of distrust and deception. Like the first film, this sequel makes brilliant use of lighting and music. The outcome is a visually striking movie that both criticizes the excessive lifestyle of influencers and acknowledges the appeal of wealth and online fame. Ultimately, it’s another original horror thriller, proving why this director is a standout voice in the genre.

Influencers premieres on Shudder on December 12th.

What were your thoughts on the first Influencer? Are you looking forward to the next one? Share your opinions in the comments and join the discussion on the ComicBook Forum!

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2025-12-08 18:17