Skip to content

FOLLOWERS

Written By:

Martin Unsworth
followers

Among the many annoying things the Internet has spawned are social media ‘stars’ and ‘influencers’. It’s those who form the basis of Followers.

Jonty (Harry Jarvis) is a self-proclaimed influencer, who has managed to get into a college to start a ‘journey’, in which he will document every move of himself and his housemates. After a few days, some strange things start happening. Loud rave music comes from the walls and the cupboards begin banging open and shut. Being an egotistical idiot, Jonty wants to be the centre of spectral attention, but he gets everyone else involved too. Zauna (Loreece Harrison) is a budding documentary maker so is on board with filming everything. Pete (Daniel Cahill) is a hot-headed Scot who is initially hostile to what’s going on until the world starts paying attention. Amber (Erin Austen) is a love interest for Jonty, something that boosts his online profile. As his vlogs continue, the ghost reveals itself…

How much you get involved in Followers depends a lot on whether you can tolerate the deliberately annoying and not too exaggerated characters. All manner of YouTube types are lampooned too, not just the vacuous influencers. The conceit of having everything being filmed works naturally, though, and fortunately, there’s a good excuse to use proper cinematic cameras for the most part.

When the haunting side of the story starts, there are a couple of scares that work, and the conclusion brings some surprises. It’s the satire of online life that makes Followers interesting, though. Jonty is the worst type of person, but he’s a product of the time and bolstered by a viewing public keen to live vicariously through others. There’s also the touchy-feely student counsellor (played by Nina Wadia, soon to be seen in The Sandman), whose desperate use of ‘yoof’ lingo is excruciatingly on the nose.

Sadly, writer/director Marcus Herben died before Followers could be released, but it’s fair to say without his unique voice, it could have been just another found footage-type film. Fortunately, there’s enough wit amongst the scares to make it work.

 

 

 

Followers is released on Blu-ray on July 18th.

You May Also Like...

chinese remake of anaconda drops trailer

ANACONDA Trailer Grants First Look At Remake Of 1997 Horror Flick

Three sequels and a spinoff-crossover film wasn’t enough for the 1997 creature feature Anaconda, which not only has a new movie in development, but is getting a Chinese remake! From
Read More
black widow star scarlett johansson in talks to lead new universal jurassic world film

Scarlett Johansson In Talks To Join JURASSIC WORLD Film

Another MCU star appears to be taking up the reins for Universal’s new Jurassic World movie: two-time Oscar nominee Scarlett Johansson is reportedly in talks to lead the franchise that
Read More

Exclusive Reveal! Titan Comics to Deliver Prehistoric Hysterics in First 2 DUMB DINOS Collection

Titan Comics have exclusively revealed to STARBURST that they’re gearing up to publish the first-ever collection of the hilarious cult digital comic strip 2 Dumb Dinos, and we’re not the
Read More

New Dates For Lovecraftian Key of Dreams

Key of Dreams has announced new spaces for its titular immersive luxury horror event. The critically acclaimed company is known for its overnight experiences that dunk you into a strange
Read More

FAB Café to Host Free Film Screening of New Indie Comedy SECRETS OF A WALLABY BOY

We’re well known for our championing of truly independent filmmakers here at STARBURST, so it’s doubly exciting to be writing about one of our own! After joining the crew in
Read More
colin farrell returns as oswald cobblepot in the penguin series trailer

Colin Farrell Returns In THE PENGUIN Trailer

Colin Farrell returns as Gotham City’s answer to Tony Soprano in the first trailer for Max series The Penguin, which spins out of the world of the 2022 DC film
Read More