Shudder, AMC Networks’ premium streaming service, has acquired the worldwide rights to the YA horror-thriller “Influencer” from Canadian filmmaker Kurtis David Harder. The film is currently being sold at the European Film Market (EFM).
“Influencer” is the story of a teenage girl named Riley (Emily Delahunty) who moves to a remote town with her mother (Hannah Vandenbygaart), where she quickly becomes the target of a mysterious figure whose motive is unknown. Fearing for her safety, she turns to social media for help and finds a mysterious Instagram influencer (Kamilla Kowal) who helps her out of danger.
The acquisition of “Influencer” marks the first major deal for Shudder at the EFM. The streaming service has been rapidly expanding its library since its launch in 2015, offering up a wide array of horror, sci-fi, and genre films and original programming. The move to acquire such an exciting and timely YA horror-thriller is a sign of the streaming service’s commitment to providing a wide selection of content catering to its core audience.
Harder’s “Influencer” marks his second feature film, following the critically acclaimed “Come True” which premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival in 2020. He has also directed a number of shorts, including the award-winning “The Nesting” which screened at the Cannes Film Festival in 2017.
With “Influencer,” Harder has created a thrilling horror movie with an important message about the dangers of social media and its influence on young people. By partnering with Shudder, he can ensure that his film will reach its intended audience.
Shudder’s acquisition of “Influencer” is yet another sign of the streaming service’s commitment to bringing diverse genre films to its viewers. The EFM deal is the latest in a series of acquisitions that Shudder has made in recent months, including horror-thriller “Sea Fever,” the Spanish horror-comedy “The Unfamiliar,” and the upcoming “The Banishing” starring Jessica Brown Findlay.