The Influencer Project Review: Ick-Inducing Thriller Exploits 2026

The Influencer Project review – ick-inducing thriller exploits overexposed tropes in a way that will leave you feeling queasy. British influencer, singer, and content creator Chiara King stars as a parafictional version of herself in this unsettling film that blurs the line between satire and exploitation.

The Influencer Project Review: A Quease-Inducing Exercise

The ick isn't just from the gore in the final reel; it's from the tacky weirdness of how the film mimics social media reels and streaming nonsense. It simultaneously satirizes the ugly side of influencer culture and profits off it. On one level, it's an eerily clever exercise in bad faith, like a poor man's Michael Haneke (think Funny Games) for Gen-Z kicks. On another, it's just a crappy ripoff of online tropes that have been way overexposed. Or both.

Plot Overview

Influencer Chiara gets invited to Copenhagen by a tourist organization, a deal set up by her avaricious manager Alice (Jazmine Summer). This means practically every waking moment in the city is filmed, either by Chiara on her smartphone or by a camera crew led by director Mike (Mike Nybroe, who also directs the film). Mike is supported by sound man Daniel (Daniel Parmo) and cameraman Victor (Luca Storm). The early sections deliver all the influence-slop you'd expect, with shopping trips to trendy merch vendors like Baum und Pferdgart.

Key Takeaways

• The film exploits influencer culture while pretending to critique it.
• Chiara King plays a parafictional version of herself, adding to the unease.
• The ick factor comes from both the gore and the tacky social media mimicry.
• It's a clever but bad-faith exercise, reminiscent of Michael Haneke for Gen-Z.

Comparison with Other Thrillers

How does The Influencer Project stack up against similar thrillers? Here's a quick comparison:

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Final Verdict

The Influencer Project is a film that will make you squirm. It's a clever critique of influencer culture, but it also exploits the very tropes it mocks. Whether you see it as a sharp satire or a cheap ripoff, one thing is certain: it will leave you with a bad taste in your mouth.