Follower (2022) Horror Movie Review

Films like Creep, The Seed, or even No Escape utilize social media and social media influencers to build terror and suspense by letting the audience watch on while they are in turn also being watched. Writer and director James Reich based his scenario on a true story about a survivor’s testimony surrounding the events captured in the horror and thriller film.

I did google a bunch of keywords in the script that appear on-screen about the murders in Nevada to no avail. In any case, though, there is nothing wrong with saying your fictional tale is true in order to build a feeling of exclusivity and foreboding doom. In “Follower” Heather is the social media influencer and she and her two friends are heading off for a lovely day hiking.

On the upside for Follower, the cinematography is the film’s saving grace. There is plenty of pretty scenic imagery. Additionally, some well-thought-out scenes involve the big bad’s pursuit early on of the women being stalked. There is also some solid editing between the girls hiking and the stalker stalking in the background to elicit enough interest to see the film to the end.

Also on a positive note, there is not too shabby violence on screen. While most of the up close and personal gore is left to the imagination, what is shown is effective and nicely orchestrated.

As for the killer, he’s just your ordinary woman-hater who also has an online following. Together as a group, they like to wear masks and hunt the ladies.

Social Media Horror Movie

On the downside, I found the 80s synth annoying by the second act. What was somewhat effective in the first half became completely overbearing in the second. But Mother of Movies has a bit of intolerance for electronic synth and where I wasn’t a fan, a review from Movies and Mayhem felt it “kinda works.”

Dialogue between characters is derivative and in one part of the film, the three friends say the same line in turn about events as they unfold. In so many films like Follower, which haven’t got the meat to back up the idea, there is a lot of aimless wandering around. Much of the run time is simply watching the trio hike.

This would be ok if they had anything of substance to say, but Reich chose to make them the stereotypical vapid parrots we love to hate. So instead of finding some worthwhile narrative to hone in on, we simply get to listen to them take in and ignore threats from their stalker. First, it’s a DM and a photo showing exactly where they are, then an arrow shot into a nearby tree, and later they literally see him and think it’s all a joke.

Where to Watch Follower (2022)

Where to Watch Follower movie 2022. Check the link below for streaming and rental options for this independent title.

Follower is streaming on: