Neon has unveiled a poster and trailer for the US release of Julia Ducournau's (Raw, Titane) psychological body horror film, Alpha. The cast of Alpha features Tahar Rahim, Golshifteh Farahani, Mélissa Boros, Emma Mackey, Finnegan Oldfield, and Louai El Amrousy. Check out the trailer below… Alpha tells the story of a troubled 13-year-old girl who lives with her single mother. Their lives take a turn when she comes home from school with a tattoo on her arm. SEE ALSO: Check out our review of Alpha here. Alpha is set to premiere in US theaters on March 27th. About Amie Cranswick: Amie Cranswick has been a member of the editorial team at Flickering Myth for over ten years. With a background in publishing and copyediting, she has been the Executive Editor of FlickeringMyth.com since 2020.

      Casey Chong shares seven films about influencer culture that should be added to your watchlist...

      Influencer culture, which includes social media influencers and vloggers, is often depicted negatively. This is especially true for the highly curated, seemingly perfect content that is shared on social media, influencing followers and casual viewers alike. Such portrayals create a stark comparison between the idealized online personas and the realities of everyday life. Although there are many criticisms of influencers, it is important to acknowledge the positive aspects that focus on authentic connections and contribute to societal good by raising awareness for important causes.

      In today’s digital age, where social media plays a crucial role in our day-to-day existence, it’s not surprising that films centered on influencers have emerged in recent years. Various directors utilize the influencer theme to delve into different genres, incorporating elements of social commentary, horror, drama, and thriller. Here are seven exceptional movies about influencers we recommend for your viewing pleasure...

      **Deadstream (2022)**

      What if a movie similar to Evil Dead was crafted in a found footage style? Welcome to Deadstream, the impressive directorial debut of the husband-and-wife team, Vanessa Winter and Joseph Winter. This film satirizes influencer culture, focusing on a disgraced live-streamer and influencer, Shawn Ruddy (played by Joseph Winter, who revels in the role), as he attempts to regain his popularity. His plan? To spend a night live-streaming from a haunted house known as Death Manor.

      The film is well-paced at just 88 minutes, and credit goes to the Winters for effectively building the narrative as Shawn guides viewers through the house. They merge relevant visual elements typical of vlogging and live-streaming—such as social media interfaces, voiceover narration, POV shots, and real-time viewer comments displayed in a chatbox—to create a sense of immediacy. When the horror begins, tension escalates with nods to early Sam Raimi-inspired gonzo horror comedy elements. It's darkly humorous and macabre, with the Winters skillfully employing practical and makeup effects for the gore and violence.

      **Mainstream (2020)**

      Gia Coppola’s second feature, following 2013's Palo Alto, explores the dark side of losing oneself in the pursuit of online fame. The story begins with Link (Andrew Garfield), who appears to be an average person working as a mall mascot. His unique personality catches the eye of Frankie (Maya Hawke), an aspiring filmmaker working as a bartender. Captivated by Link’s passionate monologue about an art piece, she records it and uploads it to her YouTube channel.

      The video quickly goes viral, leading to Link and Frankie’s rise to stardom, with Frankie convincing her friend, Jake (Nat Wolff), to join them as a writer. Their collaboration results in a viral sensation mocking social media influencers. Coppola skillfully crafts a rags-to-riches narrative, illustrating how Link's authenticity can become tainted by the superficiality of fame. Garfield's unrestrained performance, which shows how fame affects his character, is a key aspect of the film's success.

      **Shook (2021)**

      In Shook, a life-or-death survival game unfolds, centered on a makeup influencer named Mia (Daisye Tutor), who is dog-sitting for her sister, Nicole (Emily Goss). Mia's smartphone is her constant companion, illustrating her obsession with social media.

      Writer-director Jennifer Harrington paints Mia as a narcissist more interested in her online presence than the people around her, barely showing remorse for a fellow beauty influencer who was murdered earlier in the story. Despite her self-centered nature, it’s difficult not to feel some sympathy for her as events unfold through a single night filled with ominous phone calls and messages suggesting she is being targeted.

      The narrative cleverly plays with audience expectations regarding the threat against Mia, whether real or an elaborate ruse designed to teach her a lesson. The film masterfully balances tension with unexpected twists and jump scares, thanks to Harrington's witty screenplay within a tight 88-minute runtime.

      **Sweat (2020)**

      In this film, writer-director Magnus von Horn examines the life of Sylwia Zając (Magdalena Koleśnik), a celebrated fitness influencer. From the outset, the energetic scene captures Sylwia rallying her fans during a workout event in a shopping mall, embodying the ideal life of a successful influencer with 600,000 followers and a cover on Women’s Health magazine.

      However, the glamour masks a mundane reality; Sylwia's life off-camera is unexciting and draining. Von Horn effectively contrasts Sylwia’s vibrant, curated social media persona with her personal struggles and existential crisis. Koleśnik's empathetic portrayal of Sylwia adds depth as she grapples with maintaining her upbeat image while yearning to express her true self.

      **Influencer (2022)**

      This psychological thriller tells the story of