Followers is a 2021 British found footage horror film directed by Marcus Harben, which tells the story of a struggling social media influencer who discovers that the house he shares with his friends is haunted.
The ghostly presence brings the group fame and fortune, but as the story unfolds, it becomes clear that the cost of their newfound success is far greater than they could have ever imagined.
The Premise
The film follows Jonty Craig, a struggling social media influencer, and his friends Zauna, Becky Dubar, and Amber, as they move into a new house. The group soon realizes that they are sharing their home with a vengeful ghost from the 1990s named Dawn. As the ghost begins to haunt their home, the group’s social media profiles start to garner millions of followers, and big-money sponsorship deals soon follow. However, as their fame and fortune grow, so does their greed, which ultimately leads to dangerous and deadly consequences.
The Cast
Followers stars Harry Jarvis as Jonty Craig, Loreece Harrison as Zauna, Nina Wadia as Becky Dubar, Erin Austene as Amber, Daniel Cahill as Pete, and Tanya Burr as Ilana Clark. The film also features appearances by Dominic Watters, Jessica Webber, Orion Lee, and Ella Jarvis.
Our Review
The film presents a unique twist on the found footage horror genre, incorporating elements of the social media influencer culture into the story. The cast is believable, if at first annoying, and the film’s moments of horror are well executed. The addition of Nina Wadia as a caring mother figure to the young housemates helps to ground the film in a more realistic setting.
However, the film’s social commentary on the self-obsessed nature of social media influencers can be difficult to stomach. Jonty and his friends are thoroughly insufferable, and their antics can make the movie a tough watch initially. Nevertheless, if you can endure the annoyance, the plot develops in an interesting and darkly amusing manner, particularly with the inclusion of Nina Wadia’s character.
The film’s finale is a mix of horror and suspense, with some surprising twists and turns that will keep you on the edge of your seat. While the film’s scare sequences may not be particularly innovative, its mixed social media approach to the found footage genre keeps things lively and entertaining.
Reception
Followers received mixed reviews from critics and audiences alike. Martin Unsworth of Starburst rated the film 3 stars out of 5, calling it “a fresh and exciting installment to the found footage subgenre.” Brendan Jesus of Horror Obsessive also wrote a positive review, calling it “a fresh and exciting installment to the found footage subgenre.” However, Phil Hoad of The Guardian rated the film 2 stars out of 5, writing that it “never quite reconciles its two sides to cleanly deliver the social-media skewering it’s obviously itching to.”
Final Thoughts
Followers is a unique and entertaining horror film that takes the found footage genre in a new direction by incorporating elements of social media influencer culture. While the film’s social commentary can be difficult to endure, the twisty plot and well-executed moments of horror make it worth watching. If you’re a fan of found footage horror and enjoy movies that challenge societal norms, Followers is definitely worth checking out.
Marta Savova is a journalist, health, technolgy and science writer. With over 20 years of experience in the field, she has published numerous research papers and articles and has a passion for sharing his knowledge with others. He is a regular contributor to several media.
