The Influencer Project: found-footage horror gets lukewarm reviews

The Influencer Project is a found-footage horror film that follows Chiara King, a British social media personality playing a version of herself, as she is stalked by a masked figure on a trip to Copenhagen. 1 2 It is Mike Nybroe's debut feature. Nybroe also plays the cameraman Mike, and Blair Witch Project co-director Eduardo Sanchez is a producer. 2 The film opens with a text saying it is influenced by real events. Screen Rant notes that King has spoken publicly about stalkers she has encountered, though the plot itself is fictional. 1 2

In the story, an account called "King Slayer" posts threats and tracks King in public. The situation escalates to a police report, an ex-military security expert, and a climax in an empty warehouse. 2 Both reviewers say it fails as horror. Screen Rant says it has "weak scares" and that virtually every attempt at fear falls flat, while Variety says it is "isn’t terribly scary" apart from a few tolerable jump scares. 1 2 Both also find its treatment of influencer culture shallow. Screen Rant says the film touches on fame, validation and influencers' responsibility for their own stalking but backs away from hard questions. Variety says the unmasked villain's speech about influencers corrupting young minds has been heard before. 1 2

Variety is somewhat more generous on craft. It calls the film "decently crafted", says King is competent and likable, and says it meets basic genre expectations. It blames the dance-heavy soundtrack for lessening suspense. Screen Rant says Too much of the runtime is spent on sponsorship talk and poorly executed chase scenes. 2 1 The film opens in theaters on Friday 2 October. 1