Social media has become such a major part of our lives that it’s only natural for movies to start telling stories about influencers. In our day and age, the people whose faces we see everyday on our feeds can inspire us and guide us; in some cases, it can even feel like we know them. It’s a glamorous and fascinating world, but there’s a darker side to it too, and there are many films that explore both.
If you’re a social media user, chances are you often find yourself scrolling through so many apps every day, from Instagram and Facebook to TikTok, YouTube, and many more. Then there are the messaging apps, like Telegram, Snapchat, WhatsApp and Messenger; with how essential our online presence is to our lives nowadays, even simple tasks like choosing a custom profile picture have become important. And if you feel like watching a movie that revolves around this digital world and these kinds of dynamics, we have you covered.
We made a list of five 2020s movies about influencers that all approach this subject in different ways! Keep scrolling to read the list in alphabetical order. Enjoy!
1. Mainstream (2020)
Gia Coppola
Everyone’s been talking about Andrew Garfield for his fantastic performance in Luca Guadagnino’s After the Hunt, but did you know that he recently starred in a movie about influencers from director Gia Coppola? Garfield plays Link, a magnetic stranger who one day teams up with our lead Frankie (Maya Hawke) to make YouTube videos. Soon, their videos become viral thanks to his, and they’re about to achieve internet stardom with their catchphrase “No-One-Special” when everything comes crashing down on them.
But in true Gia Coppola fashion, it does so in a subtle, intriguing way that asks all the right questions. “Are you prepared for the world to see the real you?,” someone asks Frankie at some point in the film, pointing out that in being so focused on their image they’ve forgotten that they don’t have anything to say. Mainstream, which premiered at the Venice Film Festival, ia a story about identity, and self-love, and the monsters that we unwittingly create.
2. Not Okay (2022)
Quinn Shephard
Zoey Deutch plays Danni Sanders, a down-on-her-luck young woman who finds herself with zero career prospects, no friends, and no followers. One day, Danni fakes a trip to Paris and starts posting pictures on Instagram to try and become famous. It’s a harmless lie for our aspiring writer, who simply has to take some pictures from her New York apartment and add some realistic backgrounds to play the part. But things soon evolve into a much more tangled mess when tragedy strikes Paris, whose landmarks are destroyed by a series of bombings.
Needless to say, Danni sees this as an opportunity. Soon, she “returns” home a hero, complete with her own trauma survivor hashtag. But if there’s something that the internet loves even more than elevating strangers to celebrities, it’s bringing them down, and Danni will soon find out just how ruthless this online world can be.
Though this 2022 Hulu release isn’t revolutionary in its storytelling, it’s a compelling watch that will make you care about its main character, thanks to an interesting and timely premise, and a fantastic performance from Deutch. If you love Emily in Paris, you should check it out!
3. Sissy (2022)
Hannah Barlow & Kane Senes
Aisha Dee plays Cecilia, who was Emma’s (Hannah Barlow) BFF as a teenager until Alex (Emily de Margheriti) entered the picture. Now an adult, Cecilia is – you guessed it! – an influencer. Not only that, but she’s a successful one at that, and she has complete control over her life on social media. One day, twelve years after their teenage friendship ended, Cecilia runs into Emma. When the latter invites our protagonist to spend a weekend at a remote cabin in the mountains for her bachelorette party, she accepts, hoping to rekindle things with her former BFF. But Alex is determined to turn Cecilia’s idyllic holiday into a nightmare.
Sissy is both a comedy and a horror film; it tackles both genres successfully, which makes it a very compelling watch. But the true reason to watch this movie is Aisha Dee, who is superb as Cecilia and demands our attention at all times. If you’re looking for a dark comedy with a twist, look no further than Sissy.
4. Spree (2020)
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This next film is a lighthearted watch, but an exciting one nonetheless. Stranger Things‘ Joe Keery plays a rideshare driver named Kurt Kunkle who has decided he’s going to become famous. Obsessed with going viral, he has devised the perfect plan – though many of us would disagree. It all starts when Kurt starts working for the titular rideshare app, and decides to start livestreaming himself murdering his passengers. It’s a brilliant premise that Spree takes to the extreme, and though the humor doesn’t always work, Joe Keery’s performance makes it worth the watch. David Arquette, Kyle Mooney, Mischa Barton and Sasheer Zamata also star in an entertainingly sinister film that has something to say about celebrity culture.
5. Sweat (2020)
Magnus von Horn
According to a talk show host, celebrity Sylwia Zajac (Magdalena Kolesnik) is “the latest fitness revelation”. With over 600.000 followers, this social media sensation managed to earn a huge following, with people of all ages and backgrounds interested in her fitness advice and routines. Soon, Sylwia achieves stardom, and is suddenly everywhere. But as the pressure keeps rising, the world starts becoming more obsessed with her, and fame turns into a nightmare for our protagonist, complete with paranoia and potential stalkers. Eventually, her insecurities start to take over, and she is forced to confront her deepest fears.
Sweat is a very interesting entry in our list because its approach is empathetic rather than judgemental. Unlike most of the other movies we’ve listed, it’s more concerned with its protagonist’s story than with making a statement, and the end result is a film that still has plenty to say about our current society but that also works on many different levels. Magdalena Kolesnik is superb in this gem from The Girl with the Needle‘s Magnus von Horn.
The 5 movies listed above are all great releases from the 2020s that revolve around influencers in different ways. Whether you’re looking for something lighthearted, entertaining, or thought-provoking, we have you covered! Happy watching.
